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4 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————
Editorial Are We Nearing
Deer-Hunting Nirvana? The regular firearms season for deer is upon us (Youth Deer Days, October 20 and 21; Residents-only October 28; Regular season starts October 30). We are feeling optimistic, for many different reasons. First, deer populations in the more developed areas of the state are strong – strong enough that the State of Maine issued many more any-deer permits this year than in the past. More deer, and more deer hunting, have a positive ripple effect through Maine’s economy – from L.L.Bean, to Cabela’s/Bass Pro Shops, to Kittery Trading Post, and to the smaller gun shops and supply stores located throughout the State. More money and business flow to the game processors, to the weigh stations, and to the convenience stores and restaurants that supply coffee in the morning, sandwiches at mid-day, and adult beverages after the firearms are put away for the evening. Meanwhile, proceeds from hunters’ breakfasts benefit local churches and charities. Sighting-in guns and hunting with them uses ammunition, and the principles of supply and demand mean reduced inventory will prompt stores to re-stock their shelves, providing wholesalers with economic incentives to keep the supply chains moving. Sporting camps will see more business, and registered Maine guides will be in greater demand. Equipment has continued to improve, from modern, lightweight firearms that are a good match for women and younger hunters, to dramatic improvements in inline muzzleloaders. Crossbows can be used by more and more hunters, including those age 65 or older during expanded archery season in many areas. We’re seeing more double-seat tree stands in use, allowing experienced hunters to train and mentor those new to the sport. And the lightweight and portable nature of tree saddles – an exhilarating way to get up a tree – allow folks to walk deeper into the woods before ascending the tall, straight trunk of an oak or beech. Electronics are a part of woods life these days, from trail cams to GPS mapping, so hunters know where the deer may be located, and they also know how to navigate back to their truck after dark. We’re optimistic because new initiatives to protect and properly manage deer wintering areas in northern and eastern Maine could and should one day bring those regions back to their former glory. And more aggressive recruitment and retention efforts are bringing in – and keeping – more hunters. But the primary reason we are optimistic is that we are seeing more deer – not only in the urban and rural areas, and in crop fields and clearings, but also in and around the timber-cutting acreage of western and northern Maine. We’re not certain of all the reasons behind the trend. All we know is: 1) there are a lot of deer around; 2) state biologists and regulators have proven successful at providing increased opportunities to hunt them; and 3) more huntable acres are being added to the conservation rolls. Will we be able to look back on these days and recognize them as a very positive period for deer hunters? We believe so.
¶
On the Cover: Maine’s regular firearm season for white-tailed deer starts Monday, October 30, 2023, and runs through Saturday, November 25. Youth hunters get two separate Youth-Only Hunting Days (for the first time in history): Friday, October 20, and Saturday October 21. Junior hunters, and their supervisors (who cannot be armed), should be mindful they’ll be sharing the woods with regular-season bowhunters on those dates. Maine Resident Only Day is Saturday, October 28, when those hunters holding a resident license – or residents of other states who have completed a verification form stating they own 25 acres or more in Maine and permit hunting on their land – are allowed to hunt. Good luck to all for a successful and safe hunt! www.MaineSportsman.com
New England’s Largest Outdoor Publication
Sportsman The Maine
ISSN 0199-036 — Issue No. 612 • 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: Carol Lund distribution@mainesportsman.com Second class postage paid at Scarborough, ME 04074 and additional entry offices. All editorial inquiries should be emailed to will@mainesportsman.com Phone: 207-622-4242 Postmaster: Send address changes to: The Maine Sportsman, 183 State Street, Suite 101, Augusta, ME 04330 12-Month Subscription: $30 • 24-Month Subscription: $49
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Almanac by Will Lund.................................................... 14 Aroostook - “The County” by Bill Graves..................... 36 Big Game Hunting by Joe Saltalamachia.................. 28 Big Woods World by Lee Shanz & Hal Blood............... 26 Downeast Region by Jim Lemieux............................... 52 Editorial.............................................................................. 4 Freshwater Fly Fishing by William Clunie...................... 56 Get Out There by Staci Warren.................................... 49 Jackman Region by William Sheldon.......................... 43 Jottings by Jon Lund........................................................ 9 Katahdin Country by William Sheldon......................... 42 Letters to the Editor.......................................................... 6 Maine Sportswoman by Christi Elliott........................... 50 Maine Wildlife by Tom Seymour................................... 19 Midcoast by Tom Seymour........................................... 53 Moosehead Region by Tom Seymour......................... 45 New Hampshire by Ethan Emerson.............................. 66 Nolan’s Outdoor World by Nolan Raymond............... 68 Off-Road Traveler by William Clunie............................ 38 Outdoors & Other Mistakes by Al Diamon.................. 70 Quotable Sportsman by Will Lund................................ 62 Rangeley Region by William Clunie............................. 63 Ranger on the Allagash by Tim Caverly...................... 40 Riding Shotgun by Robert Summers............................. 69 Saltwater Fishing by Bob Humphrey............................ 55 Sebago to Auburn Region by Tom Roth..................... 58 Self-Propelled Sportsman by Jim Andrews.................. 41 Shooter’s Bench by Col. J.C. Allard............................. 30 Smilin’ Sportsman by Will Lund...................................... 69 Snapshots in Time by Bill Pierce.................................... 13 Southern Maine by Val Marquez................................. 60 Sporting Environment by David Van Wie.................... 48 Sportsman’s Journal by King Montgomery................. 11 Tales from the Warden Service by Ret. Lt. Doug Tibbetts.47 Tidewater Tales by Randy Randall............................... 59 Trapping The Silent Places by David Miller.................. 61 Trading Post (Classifieds)............................................... 72 Trout Fishing by Tom Seymour....................................... 54 Vermont by Matt Breton............................................... 67 Western Maine Mountains by William Clunie.............. 65
GUEST COLUMNS & SPECIAL SECTIONS
DEER HUNTING IN MAINE: Any-Deer Permit Success by John LaMarca........... 20 Deer Hunting Kennebec Valley by Blaine Cardilli.. 22 Shot Placement by Jeff Hadley................................ 25 GUEST: Tracking Technology by Daniel McDonnell... 27 SNOWMOBILING: Trail Maintenance by Steve Carpenteri................................................ 32
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www.MaineSportsman.com
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Letters To The Editor
Is an Electric Bike (or an Electric-Assist Bike) a “Motorized” Bike?
To the Editor: I just finished reading Jim Andrews’ “Self-Propelled” column in the Maine Sportsman about biking in Maine’s unorganized territories (see “Roads, Gates, Signs, and Bikes,” September issue). It was a good article. However, it brings up an interesting topic – where only non-motorized bikes are allowed, what about electric bicycles and electric-assist bikes? Many of these bikes are advertised on sportsmen’s programs as being ideal ways to get quietly into the back-country. So what’s Jim’s definition of non-motorized? Yes, electric bikes are motorized, but they are not combustion-powered. And yes, we have all seen (and heard) the loud, weed-trimmer-adapted bikes for asphalt. I’m not asking about
those; rather, I am referring to true electric bikes. What’s Jim’s take or opinion on whether they should be allowed in areas marked “No Motorized Bikes”? – Jim Thyng, Monson, ME Response from the columnist, James Andrews: Hi, Jim – You pose a fascinating question. Acadia National Park initially banned electric bicycles from their carriage roads, under the theory that the prohibition on motorized vehicles included electric bicycles. However, in 2019 they amended the regulations to permit Class 1 E-bikes. Class 1 bikes are pedal-assist only, and with a maximum speed of 20 MPH. Many designated wilderness areas in the Mountain West prohibit bicycles of any kind from the off-road trails. Most of their horse-packing trails would be navigable on bikes. But just like the designated wilderness at Baxter State Park, bikes of any kind are prohibited from foot/horse trails. My short answer would be that “motorized” is a term not generally associated with electric bikes. But I think riding an electric bike behind a closed gate that
prohibits “motorized access,” or specifically “motorized bikes,” is asking for trouble. I would not want to be the one explaining to a landowner that an electric motor doesn’t really count. Seems like a good way to get permanently banned from the property. As E-bikes become more and more common, this type of question will be raised more frequently. Unfortunately, some landowners may take the easy way out, by simply adopting a blanket policy banning all bikes, as has been done in the North Maine Woods. We bikers can all try to avoid that outcome by clarifying access rules as much as possible before ducking under that gate. – Jim Andrews, Self-Propelled Columnist —
Mail Service Mangles Magazine To the Editor: I have a little problem with the September 2023 issue of the Maine Sportsman magazine. The US Postal Service did a pretty good job of putting it through the wringer this month, such that when it came to (Continued on next page)
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great to hear that you appreciate it. A new, complimentary copy is in the mail to you. – Carol Lund, Office Manager —
Dogs and Decoys To the Editor:
Tony from Chicopee needs a new September issue.
The office manager responds: Hi, Anthony: My apologies for the rough treatment your September issue received. We work hard on each month’s magazine, and it’s
As the freshwater duck hunting season comes to an end, I thought your readers might enjoy this photo of the dogs watching the spread of decoys, waiting patiently for the ducks to lock up and glide in. – Ben Thomas, Winthrop, ME —
Fan Base in Canada To the Editor: For an additional fee, can you mail copies of The Maine Sportsman to Canada? My father-in-law loves (Continued on next page)
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me it was crumpled and missing a few pages. Could you please send me another copy? I will be glad to pay for it if necessary. It’s a great publication, and I have saved many years’ worth – hate to miss any. Thank you for your time and consideration. – Tony Ostrowski, Chicopee, MA
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Letters to the Editor
(Continued from page 7)
your publication, but he prefers printed copies rather than the online version. – Tanya Penny, Head of Jeddore, Nova Scotia The office manager responds: Hi, Tanya – thank you for your note. As we discussed by phone, we offer Canadian subscriptions at $69 a year. Thank you for signing up for two subscriptions. The magazines are shipped directly from our office. The expense is due to postage costs to Canada, which increased in July. It currently costs $4.65 to mail each issue to you. If there are stores in Nova Scotia or other Canadian provinces that are inter-
ested in carrying our magazine, they can contact me here at the office. – Carol Lund, Office Manager —
Totaled Her Buck Sticker To the Editor: My daughter made the Biggest Bucks club during a recent season. Now, she would like another Biggest Bucks sticker for her new truck. She was involved in a traffic accident with her previous truck. The vehicle was totaled, and she lost the sticker. I have enclosed $10 for a replacement sticker. – Name withheld upon request The office manager responds: We’re glad everyone is OK. You sound like a caring father. A replacement sticker is in the mail. – Carol Lund, Office Manager —
Taking Up Something New To the Editor: Please let your readers know that it’s never too late to
New hunter Ruth Morin and her first-ever game animal -- a sizable black bear. Rod Morin photo
take up something new. At age 62, Ruth Morin of Biddeford decided to take up hunting. After 68 hours hunting from a ground blind, she finally got it done with her first big-game animal. – Rod Morin, Biddeford, ME
¶
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A Sewed Bait Success Story My favorite Rangeley salmon trolling outfit was a light and flexible nine-foot split bamboo rod fitted with a Pflueger Akron bait casting reel loaded with fifteen -pound test nylon line that changed colors every ten yards. I had trolled for years with a six-foot fiberglass bait-casting rod, but had recently acquired a second-hand nine-foot split bamboo trolling rod that was light and flexible – better adapted to catching lively Rangeley spring salmon. Most of the overthe-counter trolling rigs available in those days consisted of a three-foot leader with
Something hammered the bait so hard that the reel spun under my thumb, causing a backlash. I could not let out line because my reel was jammed. The line stretched tight, and my rod pointed straight back at the fish. All I could do was hang on and hope the swivel, leader and line would all hold. a #2 Aberdeen shortshank hook wrapped onto it. The wrapping was usually crude and lacked any taper, and was not well suited to the sewed bait process. My custom rig had five feet of top-quality monofilament carefully wrapped onto the hook. I tapered the twelve-pound test leader using a razor blade, and also tapered the wrapping to ensure a snag-free sewing operation. The
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wraps were coated with two layers of spar varnish. Sewed Bait The “sewed bait” process started with a fresh, live smelt which was killed by snapping it with a middle finger. Then the hook was sewed with a series of stitches, starting at the smelt’s mouth,
out the gills and back into the throat, made at an even depth in a straight line down the side of the smelt, and ending about 1/2 inch from the fork of the tail with the bend of the hook sticking out of the body. Then, a fine copper wire strand was pushed through the
smelt’s jaws, and the ends wrapped around the leader. The goal was to give the smelt’s body a slight curve from head to tail. Too much curve, and the smelt would spin rapidly. The correct amount of curve would have the smelt rolling over about two turns per second at trolling speed. The fine wire kept the smelt’s mouth closed and helped maintain the curve of the smelt’s body. The goal was to simulate a wounded (Continued on next page)
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Jottings (Continued from page 9)
or dying smelt. The upstream end of the leader was knotted to a box swivel. Box swivels turned more smoothly than barrel swivels; ball-bearing swivels had not been marketed yet. Ahead of the swivel, a clear plastic rudder and a medium sinker were attached to keep the leader and line from twisting. When the rig was assembled and carefully lowered into the water
with the boat traveling at trolling speed, the slow rolling action of the smelt was important, as was the functioning of the swivel. Trolling speed? Slow – a leisurely walking pace; maybe two miles per hour. Just After Ice-Out We tried to fish Rangeley between the first week after ice out, and the second week. There was a lot of competition. I remember counting over
fifty fishing boats circling and zig-zagging around Greenvale Cove. Folks trolling streamers moved faster, sewed bait anglers more slowly, each skipper trying not to cross so close behind another angler’s boat as to tangle the other’s line. We stayed at SamO-Set camps on a former farm on Greenvale Cove, where a stream entered the lake. Our day started with a quick, cold breakfast, and into
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Instead of mounting the salmon, the author ate it, and marked the outline on a roll of wrapping paper. A friend later carved the outline on a pine board, which the author finished in silver and black paint. Jon Lund photo
boats while it was still pitch-black, having sewed our smelt in the camp and a spare before starting out. As the first streaks of light showed in the east and before any wind brushed the roily lake surface, we might see the small dimple of a smelt stirring, sometimes followed by the wake of a salmon pursuing the smelt. It was a magic moment, followed by a half-hour of steady action, and sometimes a slower morning of occasional strikes. Big Strike was during the slower morning time when something hammered my smelt so hard that my reel spun under my thumb, putting a backlash in the spool. My rod was pointed straight behind the boat, back at the fish. Other anglers on the lake later told me that they saw a large salmon rocket clear into the air in a high jump. The nylon casting line was stretched tight. I could not let out line, because my reel was jammed with a backlash. All I could do was hang on and hope the swivel, the knots in the leader, the line, and thread wraps on the hook would all hold. They did hold. After what seemed like ages, I felt the It
salmon weaken, and held the rod, reel and line with my left arm and hand so I could work out the backlash with the right hand. Once the backlash was gone, the reel could turn, and I was able to fight the fish in proper fashion and take advantage of the flex of the rod. Catch-and-Keep The fish fought long and hard, and made several powerful runs, but did not break water again. Eventually, the salmon tired, and came into the landing net and boat. It tipped the scales at eight pounds. Those were catchand-keep days. Hardly any anglers released salmon of legal length. The salmon had a tag – a ring in its jaw. I sent in the number and information to IF&W, and was advised the female was a multi-year spawner, and had been captured, relieved of its eggs, and released in the area of the Rangeley outlet the previous fall, weighing seven pounds. Instead of mounting the salmon, we ate it, and I marked the outline on a roll of wrapping paper. A friend later carved the outline on a pine board, which I finished in silver and black paint.
¶
������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • November 2023 • 11
Your Most Successful Fishing In addition to receiving questions about how to become an outdoor writer, I also get others, including “Where is your favorite place to fish?”, “What are your favorite flies or lures?”, and “What were your most productive times on the water?”, among other queries about the outdoors. The answers to those questions could fill several columns, so I’ll just address the one about catching a bunch of fish while on the water. It seems the number of fish caught usually is the sole criterion in determining how good the fishing was, but I’m convinced there’s a lot more to it, and I might address that subject in the future. For example, the first time Lefty Kreh and I fished together we didn’t catch a damn thing! And it was one of the best fishing experiences of my reasonably long life. That venture on the tid-
Every angler has favorite memories – those days when everything comes together and the fish keep biting, cast after cast. But since the author has fished in so many different locales, from Maine to Maryland and up to Alaska, his memorable episodes are more numerous and vivid than those experienced by most of us.
This 40-acre Virginia country pond holds some really nice largemouth bass and other sunfishes. All photos by King Montgomery
al Potomac River in Maryland was the first of many times we had on and off the water over 20-plus years until he passed away in 2018.
The pond’s boathouse where I kept my 14foot jonboat and electric trolling motor. This photo evokes so many memories of wonderful fishing.
The Best of Times – Warmwater The bare tree trunk, replete with its crown branches, lay perpendicular to its former self on the
bank, and sat on the bottom with about half of it underwater. My jonboat had fly, casting, and spinning gear all rigged for largemouth bass, and for
The bare tree trunk, replete with its crown branches, lay perpendicular to its former self on the bank, and sat on the bottom with about half of it underwater. It was a fish magnet.
some reason I picked up the spinning rod. A Texas-rigged four-inch brown plastic worm with a bright orange tail dangled from the rod tip. I tweaked the electric trolling motor a bit, and positioned just off of the tip of the tree, a good casting distance from the 40acre pond’s shore so as not to spook any fish. No, I didn’t cast into the mostly-submerged branches, then work the worm down the branches and main trunk all the way to the bank, the way the bass fishing magazines say is best. For some reason, I elected to fish the point where the tree entered the water closest to the bank. Indeed, my first cast landed on the wet soil about a foot or so up from the water. Gently I moved the rod tip up and back, and slowly slid the little brown and orange slithery worm into the water and let it sit. After a bit, I (Continued on next page)
A bonus in fishing is all the great wildlife sightings you’ll experience. These wood duck chicks, with mama nearby, made my day. www.MaineSportsman.com
12 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Over 20 years ago on an early July week, I fished the Kuskokwim River and one of its largest tributaries, the Aniak River. The river’s sand and gravel bars were perfect places from which to fish.
A silver salmon smacked the pink streamer, and it was brought to shore after a very credible fight. Fun to catch and good to eat is a great combo in my book.
Sportsman’s Journal (Continued from page 11)
twitched it, and the rubber morsel sprang up from the bottom and never made it back down because a bass took it and moved to my right, away from the tree and its branches. It was one-and-a-half to two pounds, and I quickly placed it back into the water. And made another similar cast. The twin of the first came to hand, and the rest is history. Thirteen straight casts and 13 hookups on largemouths that weighed from one to three pounds. All healthy, and all hungry for brown plastic worms with bright orange tails. As I made that thirteenth cast, I wondered if it would an unlucky one, but it wasn’t. Since that day I’ve considered 13 to be a lucky number.
I’ve made 10 or 11 in a row since then, but never reproduced that magic 13 on any species of fish until I went to Alaska. And, my oh my…. The Best of Times – Coldwater About 20 years ago, I timed a fishing trip to Alaska to catch the early part of the silver salmon spawning run. “Early part” refers to the time they were upriver in good numbers and were various shades of pinkish instead of their bright silver finish upon arrival in rivers from the sea. Also known as Coho salmon, silvers are not particularly difficult to catch when things are right. And they were “right” on the early July week I fished the Kuskokwim River and one of its largest tributaries, the
A silver (Coho) salmon shows off a pink streamer dangling from its mouth. Pink is the way to go, and purple is a good second choice. www.MaineSportsman.com
Aniak River. Pink fish, pink fly or lure? Probably no correlation there, but if you’re fishing for Coho, pink is the way to go, and purple is a good second choice. I’d tied on a pink conehead streamer about 3 inches long, with a single hook. It was not subtle pink; it was really bright, and I was glad to be wearing polarized sunglasses. The rod was a G. Loomis GLX for an 8-weight weight-forward floating line that was spooled on a Ross Gunnison reel. The short Scientific Anglers knotless tapered leader went down to around a 10- or 12-pound tippet. The jet-boat was parked on a sandbar near some good-looking water, and my fishing partner for the day moved upriver with the guide. He was pretty new to fly
That’s me on the right, over 20 years ago. In Alaska, in a week you can catch about as many fish as you would in the lower 48 states in six months or even a year.
fishing, and I asked the guide to pretty much stay with him to help him out with the intricacies of the quiet sport. I waded out about 15 or so feet into the river, and cast to a good-looking area, and soon was rewarded with about a 9-pound silver who made several strong runs. I moved a little downstream, and cast the streamer across and a little down river and let it swing with the current. And a silver smacked the pink thing, and it was brought to shore after a very credible fight. I was close enough to the sandbar to gently slide the fish onto it, remove the hook and place it back in the water. The guide had the big net and I didn’t have one, but after the seventh salmon on seven casts, he came back to me and netted the remaining 16
A pink and purple streamer like this modified woolly bugger works on silver salmon and probably most of the game fish in the world. This is a small fly; you’ll need larger ones in Alaska.
silvers caught on consecutive casts with the same pink fly! My rod hand was cramping something fierce, but I made one more cast, and actually was somewhat relieved no fish ate the fly this time. The tippet was a mess as well, but I was so tired – tired of catching fish, for Pete’s sake. I decided to be happy with 23 straight silver salmon, and dropped, exhausted, on the sandbar near the willow scrub. I told the guide to take the beginning fly angler to my spot, and the latter began scoring on fish, too! I took a short nap propped against a large rock in the sand, even though the wetter sand nearby showed brown (grizzly) bear tracks, some larger than my size-12 wading boot. I wondered if they like pink, too.
¶
While taking a break from fishing, I noticed a lot of bear tracks in the moist sand. I wondered if bears like pink, too.
������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • November 2023 • 13
“Snapshots in Time”
Historical Glimpses from Maine’s Sporting Past Compiled by Bill Pierce, Former Executive Director, Outdoor Heritage Museum
What follows appeared in the March 25, 1897, edition of the RANGELEY LAKES newspaper. The title is certainly NOT politically correct, but alas, in 1897 that was a common term for what we today call a mountain lion.* Also known as a cougar, puma, and painter, these apex predators are now considered “extirpated” in Maine, according to the state’s DIF&W.
I wouldn’t blame the fellows in the story below for not getting much sleep after this midnight encounter. Sleep with one eye open and your smoke pole at the ready, as you get outside and make plenty of great outdoor history of your own. *Editor’s note: The label “Indian Devil” did not derive from Indigenous Peoples. Rather, the name was apparently
applied by Eastern Canadian trappers and explorers. Indigenous Peoples did not consider mountain lions to be devils; to the contrary – they attributed magical hunting powers to the animals, and considered the big cats to be one of the six true “Directional Guardians” in nature, the others being the badger, the bear, the wolf, the mole (guarding the “inner earth”), and the eagle.
The Indian Devil
Demons of The Woods Made Sportsmen’s Hair Stand Up. The plaintive cry of the Indian Devil has again been heard in the swamps north of Mt. Katahdin. A New York man and his guide were camping for the night in a little hut of boughs, which had been erected as a temporary shelter. Shortly before midnight, the men were awakened by a piercing scream, which proceeded from the deep woods surrounding the hut. The men had scarcely opened their eyes when the cry was answered by an equally weird scream from the opposite side of the camp. Seizing their rifles, the two men peered out into the darkness, but could distinguish nothing. Only the smouldering embers remained of their fire. Soon, however, the still night air began to vibrate with an almost indis-
tinguishable sound, which gradually grew in volume until it developed into a shuddering scream, as of a young person in mortal agony. Before the sound had died away, the answer came again. Both men knew what the creatures were that were making the cries. The animals had apparently taken up positions in the high trees which surrounded the camp, and the men knew that it would be folly to venture outside the shelter, for it is a habit of the Indian Devil to wait till its victim is beneath the limb on which it clings, and then to drop upon his shoulders. Once the long claws of the Indian Devil are fixed in its victim’s neck, the unfortunate person stands poor chances of escaping a ghastly death. Suddenly the hunters heard a heavy thud. One of the animals had
either fallen or jumped from a tree directly in front of the hut. In an instant, the guide had thrown a heap of brush upon the embers of the fire. The dry wood immediately began to burn, casting a brilliant light deep into the woods. About 20 yards from the fire stood a cat-like creature, with blazing eyes and glittering fangs. The animal was evidently dazed by the flames, and did not move for a moment. Before either of the hunters could raise his gun, however, the creature glided away like a shadow. The fire was kept burning all night, and nothing further was seen of the Indian Devils, but the New York man’s ideas of Maine game have been considerably widened.
These woodblock prints from the 1800s depict stylized images of the mountain lion, which was known by a variety of names, and whose piercing cry could send shivers down the spines of backwoods travelers. Illustrations provided by the author www.MaineSportsman.com
14 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Almanac Three Minutes with a Maine Guide
by Lisa DeHart, acacanoepoler@aol.com
The J-Stroke – How to Take the Angst Out of Paddling a Canoe Solo
The author uses a J-stroke as she solopaddles her fully-loaded canoe. Dave Conley photo
A canoe is shaped the same on both ends. If you’re paddling solo, you need to be sitting in the bow seat, facing the stern seat. That’s because of the two seats in any canoe, the bow seat is positioned closer to the center of the boat. Therefore, sitting in the bow seat facing the stern helps keep the end you’re looking at connected to the water – not up in the air, where it’s easy for the wind to swing you off course. Now that you’re in the seat closest to the center of the boat, you need to put some weight at the end of the canoe you’re looking at. Every ship that sails, sails with ballast. A lot of people say, “I can’t paddle a canoe by myself; I need a bow paddler.” Well it’s not just better
Compiled and Edited by — Will Lund —
because they’re paddling; it’s also better because you have weight in the bow. Skilled canoeists do what’s called “face their stroke.” This means that rather than sitting in the middle of the seat, you favor one side of the seat. This allows you to get your hands out over the side of the boat when you’re paddling, and it’s much more efficient. It also allows you more boat control and mechanical advantage. Now the J-stroke … ode to the mystery of the J-stroke. Something so simple, taught so wrong, by so many for so long, has been the death of a thousand cuts for canoeing. The paddle enters the water just ahead of the knee, as close to the boat as possible, and as you pull that paddle towards you, the thumb on your top grip hand turns down and away from you. Canadian canoe icon Becky Mason is pure genius the way she teaches it. She puts a sticker on one side of the paddle. As the paddle goes through the water, you can see the sticker underwater. If you turn your thumb (down) the correct way, you can always see the sticker. If you turn your thumb up, the sticker disappears, and you know you’re doing it wrong. Brilliant. —
Drop Your Deer Where It Stands by Blaine Cardilli
I used to be the traditional deer hunter who always strove to make the perfect “behind the shoulder” double-lung shot, but even when the bullet rang true, there were times the deer still had the
The author says a shot placed high on the shoulder (indicated in photo) works as a virtual “off switch,” avoiding the need to track the deer. Blaine Cardilli photo
will to bolt a hundred yards ... and sometimes even farther. Because I now have difficulty walking through thick underbrush, it was a challenge for me to pursue a deer that had the stamina to run after I’d made that “perfect shot,” so I decided on a new shot placement called “the brachial plexus” shot, otherwise known as the “high-shoulder shot.” This shot (placed high on the shoulder) is literally the “off switch” on a deer, as it’s where all the nerve bundles come together. One shot here, and the deer goes straight down – no tracking necessary. I think it’s the most humane shot there is, and if you want a short drag, this is the way. I’ve been using it for the past several years, and I’ve dropped every deer in its tracks with one shot. Sure, you might lose a pound or two of deer meat, but isn’t that worth it? Editor’s note: For a different perspective on the issue of the ideal whitetail shot, see “Shot Placement,” on page 25. —
Guide Talk
by John LaMarca
Prime Time With the season’s gradual decrease of temperature, trappers are beginning (Continued on next page)
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������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • November 2023 • 15 (Continued from page 14)
A prime fur that’s “put up” (skinned, fleshed, boarded and tanned) with skill and care, like this beaver pelt displayed by John LaMarca, makes all the work worthwhile.
to discuss a term you may have heard but may not be sure what it means; namely, that an animal fur is “prime.” “Prime” refers to the denseness of animal fur, which is brought about by colder weather, as animals tack on layers of thick fur to keep warm in winter. This is when the fur is at its best, or at its “prime.” This is very important to trappers, as the primed fur is what fetches the highest value when the fur buyers come around. It also makes for the warmest,
highest-quality crafted clothing. uct’s overall quality. From skinning to Although beaver trapping season fleshing, boarding, and tanning, every starts in late October, many trappers step plays a crucial role in the end prodwill wait until late November or early uct. It’s important to take your time and December to set any traps, for just this pay attention to the details. One slip of reason. We would rather not catch anythe knife, or too much pressure when thing now, and we’re willing to wait for fleshing, can result in a hole in your higher quality rather than harvest a mebeautiful fur. We owe it to the animal diocre pelt early in the season. to do our absolute best when it comes to Fur trapping is similar to many othputting up the fur with skill and care. er outdoor pursuits in one way; namely, Best of luck, and tight chains, everyto find the best and biggest critters, you one! need to be willing to go where others are — not anxious to venture. Although beaver don’t weigh as (Continued on next page) much as, say, a deer, it’s good to be prepared to haul quite a load back and forth. It’s not just the animal’s weight you need to consider when trapping, but also the tools, multiple steel traps, baits, lures and in many cases waders, to lug around with you. A classic pack basket is a fantastic tool that lends itself well to this task, as its wide largemouth bass-like opening allows for packing of large bulky items, while the hard exterior of the basket keeps the contents safe in transit. Like a backpack, the straps on a pack basket help to distribute the load over your www.sun-mar.com shoulders evenly. Regardless of how “prime” Come Visit Us at Our New Location Just 2 Doors Up! a fur is, the care and skill with Now owned and operated by Gary Coleman, who has been doing service work for General Appliance for 35 years – nothing has changed! which a fur is handled after the Still Here Serving Up First-Class Customer Service! catch is equally or even more 103 Center Street, Brewer, ME • (207) 989-3714 important to the finished prodOPEN MON–FRI 9AM–4PM
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16 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Almanac
(Continued from page 15)
Calm Before the Spawn
Tim Pond, west of Eustis, is shown here on a calm, late-September 2023 morning, as the North Zone trout-fishing season neared its end and the brookies’ spawning season got underway. The photo shows the view to the south from Tim Pond Wilderness Camps. Along the horizon are Tim Mountain (3,062 ft), Mud Pond Ridge, and East Kennebago Mountain. Photo by A. Michael Lund —
Reader story: The Dream Buck
by Daniel Schaeffer, Winterport My father was an avid hunter. He was diagnosed with pulmonary disease in 2014, and he was no longer able to get around in the woods.
I took up hunting in 2017. I wanted to make him proud. He passed away in 2021. One of the last things he said to me was that he wanted me to get one of the big bucks that kept showing up on my game cameras. On the morning of Saturday November 19, 2021, my alarm woke me up out of an unforgettable dream. I’d been dreaming of my father. In the dream, I kept trying to get him to talk to me, but he just smiled. He looked healthy and happy – like how he was before he became sick. I got dressed, and headed out across a field, hugging the tree line. With every step, I could hear the crunch of the frosted grass. As I crept up the hill, I saw a tail flick, and I put my scope up. It was a doe. After she ran off, I kept slowly walking. At the top of the field edge, I saw another deer – a small 6-point buck. I also let him walk away. Suddenly, I heard the sounds of faint but solid steps off to my right. 120 yards away, my dream buck stepped out, feeding along the tree line. I didn’t hesitate, immediately shouldering my rifle, aiming slightly behind the shoulder, and squeezing the trigger. It dropped to the ground.
The author’s “dream buck” sported an impressive 12-point rack. The author believes his late father, who was an avid hunter before his passing and who appeared to the author in a dream the night before the hunt, played a role in the hunt’s successful outcome.
My dream buck had become a reality. As I ran up to the monster, I was in disbelief. I looked up into the sky at my father, who I believe was looking down on me that morning, just as he had done in my dream. For the rest of the day, I drove around, telling and re-telling the story to friends, and even to strangers. The dream buck weighed 177 lbs. and scored 155”. — (continued on next page)
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������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • November 2023 • 17 (Continued from page 16)
November 2023 Sunrise/Sunset
What’s the Name of This Tool?
Owners and operators of chain saws are familiar with this tool – the smaller fixed socket loosens the nuts on the side of the housing, allowing the guide bar to slide and chain to tighten; the flat-head screwdriver then adjusts the tension on the chain; and the larger fixed socket fits over the spark plug, so the plug can be unscrewed, then cleaned or replaced.
Bangor, ME
This young man from Maine learned the hard way of the dangers and discomforts caused by browntail moth caterpillars. Photo provided by Stacey Wheeler
ing a profound rash. If these hairs are inhaled, breathing issues like asthma can also occur.
DATE RISE 1 Wed 7:11 2 Thu 7:12 3 Fri 7:14 4 Sat 7:15 5* Sun 6:16 6 Mon 6:18 7 Tue 6:19 8 Wed 6:21 9 Thu 6:22 10 Fri 6:23 11 Sat 6:25 12 Sun 6:26 13 Mon 6:27 14 Tue 6:29 15 Wed 6:30
SET 5:25 5:24 5:23 5:21 4:20 4:19 4:17 4:16 4:15 4:14 4:13 4:11 4:10 4:09 4:08
DATE 16 16 17 17 18 18 19 19 20 20 21 21 22 22 23 23 24 24 25 25 26 26 27 27 28 28 29 29 30 30
RISE 6:31 6:33 6:34 6:35 6:37 6:38 6:39 6:40 6:42 6:43 6:44 6:45 6:47 6:48 6:49
SET 4:07 4:06 4:05 4:05 4:04 4:03 4:02 4:01 4:01 4:00 4:00 3:59 3:58 3:58 3:58
November 2023 Tides Portland, ME DATE
This tool has an interesting name. Photo by W. Lund
But what’s the formal name for this 3-in-1 multitool? Hint: The name derives from the tool’s double-utility as a wrench and a screwdriver. The answer is found at the end of this Almanac (p. 18). —
Wilderness First Aid by Stacey Wheeler, RN
Browntail Moth Caterpillars – What’s That Itch? Prime hunting seasons in the Maine woods mean encounters with more than just the wildlife you are stalking. Hardwood stands are home not only to deer and moose, but also to a brown woolly creature that leaves a lasting impression if its fibers get on your skin. The browntail moth caterpillar, found primarily in Maine and Massachusetts, is the culprit behind extremely itchy rashes when its poisonous hairs come in contact with skin. As the caterpillar develops through its life stages, it sheds small, barbed, toxin-filled hairs that penetrate the skin and introduce irritating chemical compounds, caus-
Browntail moth caterpillars. Photo: Maine Center for Disease Control (CDC)
The toxins in the hairs remain potent for three years, so even if there is no evidence of current activity, the hairs remain, are blown by the wind, and can cling to your clothing, gear, and skin wherever caterpillars resided in the past. Prevention comes down to wearing long sleeves, long pants, and a hat, or staying indoors. These restrictions make it very difficult for any Maine outdoorsman or -woman to avoid exposure to the toxic hairs. If you are unfortunate and encounter these hairs and develop a rash, there are a few things you should do: • Shower with soap and lukewarm water. • Use this brown-tail moth recipe twice a day made with ingredients found over the counter at your local pharmacy: - 1/2 30 gm tube of hydrocortisone 1% cream - 1/2 30 gm tube of diphen(Almaanc continued on next page)
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
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 Tue Wed Thu
HIGH AM PM 2:04 2:08 2:54 2:57 3:47 3:52 4:44 4:50 4:42 4:50 5:39 5:49 6:33 6:46 7:23 7:39 8:07 8:26 8:46 9:08 9:22 9:49 9:56 10:28 10:31 11:07 11:08 11:47 11:48 — 12:29 12:31 1:15 1:18 2:06 2:12 3:05 3:13 4:07 4:19 5:11 5:27 6:13 6:35 7:12 7:39 8:06 8:38 8:56 9:31 9:44 10:23 10:30 11:12 11:16 11:58 — 12:00 12:44 12:45
LOW AM PM 7:55 8:36 8:44 9:28 9:37 10:24 10:34 11:22 10:34 11:19 11:35 — 12:15 12:36 1:07 1:30 1:52 2:17 2:32 2:59 3:08 3:37 3:43 4:15 4:19 4:53 4:57 5:32 5:37 6:14 6:20 7:00 7:07 7:50 7:59 8:45 8:58 9:45 10:03 10:46 11:11 11:48 — 12:20 12:50 1:26 1:47 2:25 2:40 3:18 3:29 4:08 4:16 4:57 5:02 5:43 5:47 6:28 6:32 7:14
*Daylight savings time ends Sunday, November 5, 2023 at 2:00 a.m. www.MaineSportsman.com
18 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Maine Wildlife:
Deer
by Tom Seymour
Maine has three big-game species. These are white-tailed deer, black bear and moose. Historically, wild turkeys were considered a big-game species. However, the rules were changed a few years ago, such that a small-game license (as well as a turkey permit) are sufficient to get you hunting legally in the turkey woods. As a legacy to the former longtime rule, hunters still need to bag a spring or fall turkey, together with a deer, moose and bear, all within a calendar year, to qualify for The Sportsman’s Grand Slam patch club. Deer are the Favorite Of the three big-game species, deer rank as the top favorite, for several reasons. If the moose herd were as big as the deer herd, with a general open season that didn’t require a hunter to enter a lottery, then I believe a majority of hunters would favor moose over deer, mostly because of their impressive size. But deer have something over moose, and that is, they are ubiquitous. Deer are present in every nook and cranny of the State of Maine. Deer are easily available. For country people, going deer hunting requires only that the hunter step out the door of their home and head “out back.” Deer are everyone’s big game animal, and therefore they are the most popular. Bear are Special Black bear, the third big-game animal, belong in a special category separate from deer and moose. In years past, before a special permit was needed, deer hunters sometimes shot bear purely by chance. (Note: Maine resident hunters with a big-game license can still shoot a bear during the regular rifle season on deer, without a separate bear permit.) Some hunters specifically targeted bear, but their numbers have always paled in comparison to deer and moose
Almanac (Continued from page 17)
•
hydramine hydrochloride 2% and zinc acetate 0.1% cream - 1/4 30 gm tube lidocaine 4% cream - 1/4 cup witch hazel solution Mix the ingredients in a spray bot-
www.MaineSportsman.com
Deer hunting is a special tradition in Maine – one that folks take for granted. The author recommends getting out there while you can, since as we all age, physical limitations will restrict our abilities to fully participate in the season. hunters. For some hunters, bear are a “bucket list” animal. They want to shoot at least one bear in their life. The hide is often tanned for display on the wall, and the meat sent to a commercial butcher for processing. For these bucket-list hunters, after that successful hunt, bear get crossed off the “to-do” list. Not so with deer. With deer, every year presents a new challenge. It’s a never-ending cycle. Besides, while bears are common in a large portion of the state, they are seldom seen, because they are so reclusive. Deer may stand in the open, on the edge of fields and power line rights-ofway in the evening, but you will probably never see a bear in such places. Also, while deer-hunting generally does not require special equipment, bear hunting does. You can’t find a bear while walking through the woods, as you would when deer hunting. For bear, it is almost always necessary to either hunt over bait, or employ bear dogs to run them up trees. It would take a woodsman as skilled as Natty Bumpo to take a bear by what is called “fair chase.” Some people can do it, but they are in the minority. So as for the ability to go out hunting, without encumbrances or special permits, deer remain everyone’s game – the one big-game animal that everyone can pursue. All you need is a hunting license. Add to that, you can take more than one deer per season if you archery hunt as well as gun hunt. There are other means, too, to get extra deer tags in certain areas of the state.
Regular Routine For most hunters, deer hunting has become a regular routine, something we do year after year, without even considering whether or not to go. Deer hunting is part of lives each year when November rolls around. For archery hunters, move that date earlier to September (expanded archery) and October (regular archery). Given how deer hunting stands as such a regular part of life, imagine, after many decades of deer hunting, not being able to go because of a physical problem. This happens to sportsmen all the time. Consider the many wounded veterans – people who were dedicated deer hunters before their injuries, but who are now unable to get out and hunt. There are plenty of other folks who can no longer shoot a rifle, and for a wide range of reasons. Eye problems, something we seldom consider except when it happens to us, play a big part in taking deer hunters out of the game. When this happens, it creates a sinking feeling. I know, because it just happened to me. Back in late 2021, something caused my right eye, my shooting eye, to become blurry. The doctors put a name to it, but I really don’t understand it. Despite medications and more, the blurriness continues. I hunted last year, before the condition became too severe. I will not hunt deer at all this year, because I cannot see through the sights well enough to make a well-placed shot. I toyed with handguns, and even became quite proficient by holding my big revolver in my right hand, while positioning it in line with my left (“good”) eye. While that approach sounds good on paper, I don’t feel comfortable trying it on deer. Fortunately for me, year-round rivers allow me to go trout fishing in November. It’s not deer hunting, but it’s the next best thing.
tle, and apply to the affected area as a spray. Keep the solution refrigerated when not in use. • Do your utmost to avoid scratching. If a severe rash persists, visit your primary care doctor, as you may need oral medications to relieve symptoms. —
Answer to “What’s the Name of this Tool?” (from page 17)
The formal name for the tool is a “Scrench,” a designation derived from combining the words “Screwdriver” and “Wrench.
¶
������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • November 2023 • 19
~ Trophy Gallery ~ Youth Hunter and Father Shoot Deer on the Same Day During Thanksgiving Week 2022 Thanksgiving week, 2022 proved productive for Maine Sportsman subscriber Nathan Gordon, age 11, and his father Shane, of Whitinsville, MA. Young Nathan, who has been hunting since he was 8 years old, got things moving at 6:35 a.m. on the morning of November 22, when he earned his Youth Deer Patch with this 106-lb. spike-horn buck (right photo). He was carrying a .243 during the hunt, which took place in Wellington, ME, and his whitetail was registered at C & R General Store, in Harmony. The hunt was supervised by Nathan’s father, Shane. No one would have blamed father and son for taking the rest of the day off. However, Shane reported that “Nathan was the one to push me in to hunting that same afternoon for myself, which led me to harvesting this 140-lb. buck at 3:28 p.m. All in all, a great father-and-son hunting week together!” Congratulations to the Gordon family!
Like Father; Like Son October 13, 2023 was a great fishing day on Moosehead Lake for Colby Pomeroy (left) and his father Corey. Colby pulled a 4-lb, 4-oz, 20 3/4” brook trout out of the water using a Sutton Spoon. Meanwhile, Corey topped his son, reeling in a 4-lb, 13 oz, 21-inch brookie. Corey also used a Sutton Spoon. Congratulations to the Pomeroy clan.
Maine Sportsman reader Breanna (“Bre”) Beauchesne of Greene, ME had several outdoor “firsts” over the past 12 month. Last fall was her first year bowhunting, and on October 5, 2022, she reports, “I was headed to my spot when I heard leaves crunching. I hunkered down and moved to what little cover was available -- a small tree cluster.” A single, well-placed arrow dropped this 110-lb. doe, which was weighed at Sabattus Deer Processing. Having mastered bowhunting, she next turned to trapping. As she tells it, “I decided I wanted to try it out, so I took the course, and by February 2023 I had a single conibear 330 out under the ice. On March 26, I caught this huge 65 lb. beaver! The secret? I used fresh poplar from my Dad’s property, and that did the job.” Congratulations, Bre! www.MaineSportsman.com
20 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
The Success of Maine’s Any-Deer Permit Program by John LaMarca
The author spoke with the experts about the reasons for the establishment and growth of the Any-Deer program, and of the biologists’ findings to date. The results may surprise you, and there is optimism that the program will lead to a stronger, healthier deer herd in the future. Maine white-tailed deer hunters know Maine has an AnyDeer Lottery program in which hunters can enter a drawing in order to win an any-deer hunting permit. The any-deer permit (commonly referred to as a “doe tag”) allows the hunter to take a deer without antlers, or with antlers that are less than three inches in length. Once the permit is won, the hunter can then purchase the tag for $14. As a Registered Maine Guide who hosts many deer hunt-
ers, I receive a lot of questions around the doe tag system, such as: • Why do we have to pay for a tag we won? • Where does the money go? • Why are there so many tags available in Southern Maine, but not in Northern Maine? The Money Hunters last year spent a total of $1.2 million to purchase any-deer permits. One hundred percent of that money each year goes into a fund that is used for conserva-
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tion of deer wintering grounds in Maine, locking in large tracts of land for public land use in perpetuity. I spoke with Dan Bell, who is a conservationist and avid advocate for Maine deer hunters. He described the success of this conservation work. “The $1.2 million spent by Maine hunters on permits was just the tip of the iceberg,” he explained. “When used for this conservation effort, these funds are multiplied with 3-to-1 federal funding match. “This turns that
The author is doing his part to utilize the state’s Any Deer program. LaMarca photo
$1.2 million into a substantial $4.8 million fund for securing
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and protecting wintering areas for our deer herd.” Dan went on to say, “In addition, private funding was raised by Jerry McLaughlin and the Aroostook County Conservation Association. They are doing amazing work in these areas, including winter feed, food plots, predator control and (Continued on next page)
������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • November 2023 • 21 (Continued from page 20)
forest management to help the northern Maine deer herd.” In just one year, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife was able to identify and purchase 8,000 acres of large tracts of land. And this land is not only for the deer. Rather, it’s now open to the public, and can be used for all of us in our outdoor pursuits in perpetuity. This is a huge step towards securing our traditions of hunting, fishing, and trapping into the future. When you consider all outstanding conservation work, and the fact a doe hunt in a state such as Texas can cost $500, a $14 doe tag is cheap money to be able to accomplish so much, while at
the same time filling your freezer. Northern Maine vs. Southern The natural next question is, “Wait … we are trying to increase the deer population in Northern Maine, but reduce the population in Southern Maine – isn’t that counterproductive?” It’s not a surprise to anyone when I say that Southern Maine hosts an abundance of deer, in some areas holding as many as 40 deer per square mile. With the estimated deer herd in Maine increasing by around 150,000 animals in the last 10 years, and the majority of those deer populating the southern coastal areas, this can cause some local headaches. I had the opportunity to speak with
Maine state deer biologist, Nathan Beiber, who reported: “Deer herd health is measured by taking into account the carrying capacity of the land the animals live on, and by measuring animal weight, antler beam dimensions and overall animal numbers. “In general, the Maine deer herd is very healthy; however, there are signs of some areas in which the dense deer populations are exceeding the carrying capacities of the land, specifically in the coastal regions and island areas. It’s more difficult for hunters to easily hunt the animals in those regions, and the deer populations are abundant.”
Smaller, Less Concentrated Herds are Healthier As many can probably guess, with the increased deer herd comes some other factors that are influenced by the higher numbers. There is a direct correlation between larger deer numbers, and the increased deer vs. vehicle collisions, according to the Maine Department of Transportation Data. There’s also a direct correlation between increased deer population, and the presence of tick-transmitted pathogens in humans, such as Lyme’s disease, anaplasmosis, and babiosis. In short, in order to maintain a safe and abundant deer resource, we need to decrease the numbers in these areas and maintain a lower, healthier
population. Biologist Beiber mentioned unexpected result of the increased antlerless permits. “We noticed that with the increase of AnyDeer permits, there was a drastic drop in the number of yearling and juvenile (spike) bucks being taken. We assume this is the result of hunters now having the opportunity to fill their freezer with a doe, and who are therefore more willing to pass on smaller bucks. If this trend continues into the future, it will increase the size and quantity of bucks.” The upshot is that the Any-Deer program is a three-part win for hunters: 1) more opportunity; 2) better deer health; and 3) more big bucks. What’s not to like?
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22 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
— Deer Hunting in Maine —
Kennebec River Valley Offers Great Deer Hunting by Blaine Cardilli
Two Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) that hunters should check out are found in DIF&W’s Region B. They are the Alonzo Garcelon WMA (5,000 acres, located in Windsor), and the Gene Letourneau (Frye Mountain) WMA, consisting of 5,240 acres in Montville. Having moved five years ago from the Midcoast area up into the central Kennebec Valley region, I discovered some great deer hunting, both on and around our newly-acquired property. At age 63, I’ve been a Maine deer hunter for more than four decades now, and during the course of those years I have seen a lot of “No Trespassing” and “No Hunting” signs go up. And yes, I’ve had a lot of doors politely (and not so politely) closed on me when I went seeking permission to
hunt private and/or semi-private land. The good news? Well, that’s two-fold; First, as mentioned above, I finally have a small but adequate piece of property that we are managing with a goal of attracting deer. Second, before moving to this property, I was forced to dig a lot deeper, looking for access to new deer hunting spots, which I found in the form of state-owned Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). Wildlife Management Areas Maine currently
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provides 69 Wildlife Management Areas, covering more than 110,000 acres. The Kennebec Valley corridor itself runs through three of our state’s designated DIF&W areas (namely E, D & B), and encompasses parts of seven different Wildlife Management Districts (WMDs). These include Districts 4, 8, 13, 14, 16, 17 and 23. Two WMAs worth checking out can be found in Region B. They are the Alonzo Garcelon WMA in Windsor, and the Gene Letourneau (Frye Mountain) WMA, lo-
The Kennebec River Valley region (highlighted in red) offers many deer-hunting opportunities, both on private land and on state-owned Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs).
cated in Montville. Alonzo Garcelon WMA The Alonzo Garce-
lon WMA contains approximately 5,000 acres. Wetlands make (Continued on page 24)
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24 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Deer Hunting Kennebec River Valley (Continued from page 22)
up a significant portion of the area, including fresh water ponds, open water along major stream channels, shallow and deep marshes, shrub swamp, and wooded swamp along the upland borders. Forested portions range from recently-cutover sites, consisting of dense ground cover, to stands of mature hardwoods and softwoods. Gene Letourneau (Frye Mountain) WMA The Gene Letourneau (Frye Mountain) WMA, located in Montville, is comprised of 5,240 acres, making it one of the largest up-
land wildlife management areas in Maine. It contains a diverse mixture of forest cover types and improved fields. The property provides optimal habitat for numerous wildlife species, including ruffed grouse, American woodcock, snowshoe hare, furbearers and whitetailed deer. For a list of all state Wildlife Management Areas (and key access points), go to maine.gov/ifw and enter “WMAs” in the search window. You’ll be directed to the complete list, including all the information you’ll need when looking for new deer hunting areas. Unless otherwise noted, WMAs are open
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As this 8-pointer illustrates, there are plenty of nice bucks along the Kennebec River Valley corridor. Photo by the author
to the hunting of game animals. Be Cautious When Hunting Public Land We all have our own methods of scouting new opportunities, but it’s important to keep in mind that when hunting public land, remember that
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sue of The Sportsman I wrote an article titled “Tactics For High Pressured Deer.” The information in that column may prove very helpful if you find yourself hunting any parcel of land that is likely being hunted by others, so if you haven’t yet picked up that issue, you might want to grab it. Believe me, it’s great to have the hunting opportunities these WMAs provide, but being stepped on by others who don’t like to sit, or who simply prefer to still-hunt, can prove frustrating to those of us who have the patience to sit for long hours. Check Out a WMA Near You The Kennebec River Valley corridor holds many great deer hunting opportunities. Since not everyone can obtain access to private lands, finding a WMA near you is a great idea, especially if you’re discovering that your previous spots are slowly disappearing – or worse yet, if those lands are transitioning into “posted” properties. Happy Hunting!
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— Deer Hunting in Maine —
Shot Placement – Practice, and Make it Count by Jeff Hadley, Waterford, ME
When the various deer seasons get underway here in Maine, hunters bring whitetail deer to our slaughterhouse to be processed. Our slaughterhouse has been in operation for five generations. It was started by my great grandfather Merton Kimball in the early 1900s. We process a lot of deer, and we see where and what the shot placements were, and how these shot placements determine how much deer meat is wasted. We’ve seen as much as 100% of the deer meat wasted, and we’ve seen as much as 100% of the meat preserved. The difference between the two results depends mostly on shot placement. During the onemonth bow hunting season, most of the deer meat is in great condition. Bowhunters have only one shot, and they have to make it count. The sharp arrowhead passes through the deer’s body with very little shock damage. Muzzle loader season deer have a bit more meat waste, because of the single 50cal. ball or slug, but as long as it’s well placed, the meat damage is minimal. Regular Firearms Season Once the Maine rifle deer hunting season starts, it’s a total-
As a processor of game meat, the author is singularly qualified to speak on the subject of how to maximize the amount of meat that remains preserved and delicious. ly different story. We see many deer come through our slaughterhouse that are so shot up that most of the meat is wasted. It’s common to see multiple bullets through the deer – often three or four shots. We see deer with shots through the hindquarters. We see deer with front legs shot off and hind legs shot off, and with bullets right through the front quarter rather than behind the quarter. In some of these cases, sixty-plus percent of the deer meat is wasted. What we like to see is one bullet hole, and one bullet hole
only. Ideally a single shot behind the shoulder, or – even better for maximizing meat preservation – the neck shot. I’ve been hunting deer for 35 years, and if I could shoot all my deer in the neck, then I would. I will not shoot at a running deer. If I don’t have a good shot, then I won’t take it. Bang Bang Bang We’ve all heard hunters shooting at running deer during deer hunting season: Bang bang bang bang bang bang bang, and it seems as though they will never stop shooting. It makes you wonder – What the heck are they doing?
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There are many good things about the neck shot, which I do for moose, bear, and deer. If you miss the shot, the animal is not wounded and no harm is done. The deer neck is actually a pretty big target, and any muzzle loading or rifle hunter should be able to hit the neck of a deer. Even a few experienced bowhunters do neck shots. If you can’t hit the neck, then you need a bit more practice. When you hit the neck, the deer is instantly down on the ground – no tracking, no blood trails, no lost deer, and no deer meat
wasted. Get Them Cooled Down, Fast It’s also extremely important to locate a wounded deer and not leave it overnight. If a deer is left overnight in the woods, in the majority of instances the deer meat will all be spoiled, since you need to field-dress a deer in order to cool down the deer’s body temperature quickly. Food prices and ammunition prices just keep going higher and higher. Deer meat is one of the healthiest meats on the face of the earth. Just one well-placed shot will preserve all the deer meat, and like my great grandfather would say, “Waste not; want not.”
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26 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Deer Camp – A Maine Tradition by Lee Shanz and Hal Blood
The first time I heard about deer camp was while on a fishing trip. We left my hometown of Farmington and traveled north, mostly on Route 201. It was 1975, and there was still pulpwood floating down the Kennebec. When you drove through the little village in The Forks, you couldn’t help but notice that nothing was happening there. It was pre-whitewater rafting days, and the only people you bumped into were fishermen and hunters. Our group consisted of my grandfather, father, three uncles, and a few friends. We were heading to the Enchanted region to fish the streams and small ponds in the area. In many ways, this trip would set a course for the rest of my life. Enchanted Stream was so full of trout that it was like a
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smelt run. We caught a 22-inch native brook trout in a backwoods pond that was only 6 feet deep. We slept under a tarp held up by spruce poles, and on beds padded with fir boughs. Hearing About Deer Camp As much as I enjoyed the fishing, however, what really interested me was hearing my dad talk about his uncle’s deer camp on Lower Enchanted. When he was a kid in the 1950s, they would spend a week hunting deer and grouse from this old log camp that belonged to “Uncle Stubbie.” Like most cabins in the north, it was constructed for comfort and not beauty. If it was big enough to accommodate your group, and so long as it kept out the rain and snow, you were happy. Hoppe’s No. 9 Most of these
camps had additions put on over the years, and they all had a “privy” out back. The cabins smelled like wood and smoke, and if you were lucky, Hoppe’s Number 9. You ate bacon and eggs for breakfast, and washed everything down with coffee that would float an axe. Lunch was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, stuffed in the pocket of your Johnson wool jacket, and supper always included baked beans. You hoped the largest rodents you shared your camp with were mice, and you fell asleep listening to them running across the wide pine floors. Guns & Ammo Most items of gear, including the sleeping bags, were Army surplus. Even the guns were military handme-downs. My grandfather’s deer gun was a “sporterized” .30-40 Krag. My dad’s rifle was a Springfield 30’06, bought through the Sears and Roebuck catalog, and “Uncle Stubbie” preferred a 98 Mauser in 8x57. They all used heavy, round-nose bullets, and equipped their guns with peep sights. If you didn’t use a surplus bolt gun, you hunted with a lever-action Winchester, Marlin, or Savage carbine. Usually, your wool pant’s pockets were full of 30-30 shells, but you might carry 32 Special, 35 Remington, or .300 Savage instead.
“We ate bacon and eggs for breakfast, and washed everything down with coffee that would float an axe. Lunch was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and supper always included baked beans. We hoped the largest rodents we shared your camp with were mice, and we fell asleep listening to them running across the wide pine floors.” Lee Shanz photo
There weren’t many wood roads in those days, so you hunted on trails that led to beaver ponds and boggy meadows. Dad’s uncle always carried a hatchet to keep the trails clear, and to “blaze” larger trees. You hunted openings in the forest where the new growth provided feed for the deer. People were meat hunters back then, and you were just as happy to shoot a big doe as you were a buck. Partridge was always on the menu, and made a welcome addition to your beans or stew. It was before anyone worried about herbicide spraying, and the first meal you had from your deer was liver fried crisp in bacon grease. In those days, there were plenty of winter deer yards in the big woods. This meant there were more
deer in the north than there were in southern Maine. I wish this were still true. After your group finished their week of hunting, they divided the venison among them, and everyone went home with their winter meat. You hoped you finished up before the snow got too deep, because 4-wheel drives were uncommon then. If your vehicle needed a little extra help, you strapped chains on the tires, and threw cordwood in the back to add weight over the drive wheels. As you headed back to civilization and your 9-to-5 job, you thought, “I can’t wait to come back next year.” Hal’s Thoughts If you have never spent time in a hunting camp, you owe it to yourself to find one to go to, or to build your (Big Woods World continued on page 29)
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Happy with New Technology In 1992, when I wanted to look over a new piece of property from the air, a trip to the Soil & Water Conservation District was in order. These folks had access to the high-quality aerial photos needed for scouting purposes. The other option was an expensive trip in a high-wing airplane from the local airport. When I took those flights, I always hoped to get a seasoned pilot, and not some crazy youngster, hell-bent on making me lose my lunch. (The stories I could tell about certain aerial trips are fall-down hilarious – I’ll save them for another day.) Once I had those photos in hand, there were still some serious drawbacks to photographs, as opposed to the technology available today.
The author uses a GPS-based mapping and tracking system called onX to mark deer sightings and food sources, and to track his progress through the woods. He programs in wind direction, to help him decide how to site tree stands. And by downloading the maps to his phone, he can operate in areas with no cell service. In recent years, I’ve grown to love my OnX Hunt app. Having the ability to take a detailed aerial photo to the field has spoiled me, and likely every other hunter who uses it. Rarely could I pinpoint exactly where I placed a stand or where I jumped a deer, when looking at an aerial photo. The best I could do was guess, and stick a pin into the photo. However, too many pins left the photo damaged for the next season. With OnX Hunt, all I do is delete a mark or use a
different color marker than I used the previous seasons. There are myriad ways to keep annual data separated on this app. Using OnX Hunt to Keep Track of Does In the last couple of years, I’ve experimented with keeping doe sign on my maps. So far, this has allowed me to pinpoint recent activity and separate it from activity I saw while scouting in September or while hunting during regular archery. Because OnX Hunt has so many symbols and colors to choose from,
it’s easy to document sightings, sign, trails and other things I find interesting or needing documentation. Each fall, when a hunter in my area wants to find does, it’s as simple as finding
the food. In a year like this one, when food is abundant, it’s crucial to find preferred food sources, and then identify from what directions does are accessing the food. There’s a food symbol that can be used to mark a spot, then a “notes” section to name the food type. After a food source is marked and named, it’s time to use one of my favorite features – the wind direction waypoint tool! Just (Continued on next page)
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28 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Big Game (Continued from page 27)
open the waypoint, scroll to the bottom, and click Wind Direction. A new screen pops up. Click “Apply,” and voilà, the current wind direction and speed will show up above the icon on the map. After checking my favorite weather app, Accuweather, and my favorite wind direction website, Windfinder.com, all that’s left is to compare the data, and my plan is in place. After identifying the preferred foods (I recommend doing this by actually observing
deer or fresh sign indicating they’ve been there), it’s a good idea to locate heavily-used trails. I love to walk these trails on a day of heavy rain, or just before, if possible. The rain washes scent away after I’ve invaded the deer’s space. Tracking Feature While walking these trails, I use the Tracker tool, located at the bottom right of the app. While doing this, I often pause, or stop tracking, when I temporarily lose the trail. After finding it, I resume the track.
When finished, I leave notes on the track, especially if I see large buck tracks. Just hit “edit,” and there’s plenty of space to remind myself of what was seen. When using the app in the field, I often didn’t have cell service, or service wasn’t great. Downloading multiple, high detail maps has been my preference for deer hunting. This allows a hunter to zoom in close, in order to see more detail in the map. The second thing that occurs often is a battery dying quickly when I used the app to track my movement. In an effort to save battery life, I find placing my phone in airplane mode works well. In fact, I can scout and track myself for four
With the OnX app on his phone, the author is able to identity and label food sources, mark and edit waypoints, determine wind direction, and track his route. Photo courtesy OnX
or five hours, and still have over half the battery life remaining. As the season progresses and sightings, trails and other sign continue to be documented, a picture begins to form. Color coding this data by
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year gives me a great idea of what has or has not changed each year. By following the does around and noting the time of year I see them, it’s easy to adjust accordingly, as long as there’s not too much hunting pressure. When I keep my thumb on the does, it’s just a matter of time before the bucks come along. For those who haven’t tried the OnX Hunt app yet, I suggest taking a look. I also use the app extensively in my work as a Realtor. There are limits, but I suspect the company will continue making improvements to this awesome tool.
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— Guest Column —
Using Tracking/Mapping Technology to Search for a Downed Deer by Daniel McDonnell
Editor’s note: Maine Sportsman reader and Oxford County resident Daniel McDonnell wrote to tell us about his experience with a mapping and tracking tool, HuntStand. He used the app after searching for a deer he was certain had been mortally wounded. Following an unsuccessful several-hour search in a murky, boggy area in the driving rain, he returned to his house to plan a new strategy. ***** I went home about 10 a.m. for lunch, to dry out, and to regroup. Before leaving, I climbed up into my tree stand and took a compass bearing from my stand to the tree where I’d last seen the buck. Back at my house and WiFi, I opened HuntStand on my laptop and studied the area where I had previously waypointed my treestand in my mapping. I plotted a line based on my compass bearing from my tree stand that I had previously plotted on the app on my phone, and measured 25 yards along that trajectory, to find the approximate location of the tree where I last saw the whitetail disappear. At that spot, I manually placed an icon on the map. Using the area mapping tool, I drew a widening triangle, the top of the triangle being the last-seen point at the tree, and an ever-expanding potential path of the deer. In doing so, I created a zone where the deer could have laid down for the last time. The triangular area that I created, I shaded orange. Then I put on full rain gear, and prepared to return to the scene of the shot. Before I left the house, I updated the maps on my phone to correspond with the mapping done on my laptop in the kitchen. When I returned to my stand and then to the tree, I could see, based on my location and prior tracking path, that I had searched only about a quarter
Big Woods World (Continued from page 26)
own. Hunting camps are special places, for many reasons. Hunting camp is an escape from the everyday world. It’s a place to get together with friends, relatives or new acquaintances. We go not only to hunt, but to enjoy time with like-minded people and share stories,
of what I determined via the mapping could be an area of potential, likely recovery. I re-activated the tracking feature on my phone, and started going back and forth, grid-searching the cone of potential travel that the deer could have made. It was a thick, flat, featureless, northeastern bog; and as the temps climbed into the 70s and the rain continued to pour down, it felt like a lot of places I’d been on the Equator. Prior, in the kitchen, I had extended the line designating my compass bearing on my mapping nearly 200 yards, and by looking at my real-time GPS position on the phone, could see during my widening search when I was approaching it. Every time I grew close to that line, I felt just a slight glimmer of hope that grew just slightly dimmer every time I passed it. At 150 yards, I was beginning to reach the very end of my projected line. I started to have the same discouraged feeling that I’d had when I went in to eat lunch. At this point, I was traversing about 50 yards on each side of my line, within the cone I had created on my mapping, about 10 yards apart with each pass, which is the distance I thought I could reasonably pick out a deer in the jungle of cedar, goldenrod, and immature white pine. I paused as my GPS icon reached the projected compass line, tired, and with that sick feeling. I prayed for a little bit of Providence on my behalf. Then I looked to my right. About 20 yards from me through the cedar boughs and gradually rotting goldenrod, in an area I had not yet searched, I saw a hoof, an antler, and a tuft of white belly fur poking out from behind a hummock. There was my buck.
¶
food and camaraderie. Yes, we go to hunt, and usually we do that on our own, but the camp life is where the fellowship takes place. My first hunting camp experience was at the family lodge when I was sixteen years old. From there, hunting camps have been everything from a pop-up camper, to wall tents, to regular camps and even to spectacular lodges. Sometimes game is taken, and
“Here’s a screenshot,” says the author, “of a scenario that parallels my experience last year. The deer has been shot on a swamp/hardwood fringe, and the mortally-wounded deer then travels into an impenetrable, flooded scrub. “The yellow treestand icon represents the location of the shot taken; the orange icons are the deer when shot; and the deer print marks where the deer was last seen, or the location of the last sign found. “The yellow line represents the extrapolated line of travel derived from the shot location and the last seen or last-found-sign location. “The orange triangle is the higher probability area of the dead or down animal, and the purple line crossing back and forth is the path of search, based on my location on my smartphone. For scale, the real-time area of the orange triangle is 2.25 acres, and the route of travel is one mile long.” Illustration: Daniel McDonnell sometimes it is not, but that does not matter. What matters is that the group shared the spiritual relationship of the camp. I urge you to find or start a hunting camp. Bring together family and friends, and especially the youth. Young people will learn far more life lessons at a hunting camp than they’ll ever learn at school.
¶
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30 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Ammo, Once Abundant, Now in Short Supply The phone calls and emails started coming in late August. Readers from all over New England asked where to find their favorite hunting ammunition, or if they could find it, why the outlandish price increases since the last time they made a purchase. Almost anyone planning a fall hunt this year ran up against limited supplies of some once-common cartridges, and some prices doubled or tripled. Hopefully, through some internet sales, a tip from a friend, and/or some long day trips to unfamiliar shops, everyone obtained what they need and are now well installed in their deer camp. The short answer to this conundrum is the age-old question of supply and demand, but as with many other questions, the devil is truly in the details. First came the global impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, when production of all sorts staggered under the effects of plant closures and staffing shortages. As the
The economic model that formerly provided appropriate supplies of ammunition for such traditional carbine and rifle calibers as .32 Special and .300 Savage, no longer functions as it once did. In its place, large volumes of ammo for modern calibers and for range-shooters are manufactured to meet perceived demand. Here’s how whitetail hunters can cope with that challenge.
Shooters are finding numerous once-popular hunting cartridges in short supply, and those available are offered at record-setting high prices. Hunters may need to conduct a wide and determined search to secure needed calibers. Photo: JC Allard
world recovered from the pandemic, next came “supply chain issues,” meaning that re-started production could not immediately achieve pre-pandemic levels. Add to that the
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modern reliance on importation of vital components needed to create the ammunition varieties American shooters know and love. Offshore suppliers were, and are, no better than domestic
manufacturers at predicting trends in economic demand. Following the restart, U. S. ammunition makers found that important components simply were not to be had at any price. As
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that situation eased and the rationing and empty shelves of a couple of years ago faded into history, shooters and the corporations that support them found another new reality – one of driving both the manufacturing and the marketing trains. Everyone who shoots needs to understand these forces both to mitigate the frustrations of searching for what is not there, or seeking and finding something that may now be unaffordable. We also need to prepare for future seasons, making certain we have what we need when we need it, no matter what sort of shooting sport we may pursue. Production Line The all-too-common misconception assumes that if I purchase a firearm to use in the woods or the shooting range that someone, somewhere, is making ammunition for it. Perhaps a once reasonable assumption, it no longer holds true. Ammunition makers often do not have multiple production lines running at the same time. Like good single-malt Scotch, or fine Kentucky bourbon, they make cartridges in batches. Based on meeting a volume demand, manufacturers set up their production to (Continued on next page)
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marshal the needed components and then crank out a “run” of a given product. If the run happens to make .308 Winchester because that is what the orders call for, and a shooter wants some .300 Savage from that brand, that production will wait until enough demand builds up and the line is re-set to produce .300 Savage. The less demand, the less frequently the maker will run a batch – even if it is a current catalog item. If supplies run low at retail outlets, then buyers will experience shortages. Once, hunters
caused the primary demands with some regional influences. Here in New England, manufacturers knew .30-30, .300 Savage, .308, and .30-’06 sold well, and stores throughout the region needed good stocks. Out West, it might be .243 Winchester, .264 Winchester Magnum, or 7mm Remington. In Alaska, they sell a bunch of .375 H&H Magnum. The regional sales and marketing folks work to keep the stores in supply of what sells in what particular geography. Less dominant today, hunters have lost market share to shooters who consume large
quantities of ammunition on the range. A 20-round box of ammunition may last a hunter several seasons – a couple of rounds to verify that sight alignment, and a couple of rounds for the game. Unfortunately (on a lot of levels), most hunters do not shoot throughout the year with their much-loved deer rifle. Fans of socalled “black plastic” shoot year-round, and may use thousands of rounds. Makers go where the demand points. Why load .250 and .300 Savage, when rifles chambered for the 6.5mm Creedmoor fly off gun store shelves?
Why devote resources to loading the .32 Winchester Special, when no one currently makes a rifle for that cartridge, and the next generation buys rifles in .350 Legend, .360 Remington Buckhammer, and .450 Bushmaster? Inflated Prices Prices are rising generally. Automobiles cost what houses did 40 years ago. Ammunition components far outstrip inflation rates, and less demand only exacerbates the price rise. A box of cartridges costing $25 in the pre-pandemic days will now run anywhere between $69
and $89 per box. That is high enough to stop some dedicated Maine hunters from purchasing, and that is unfortunate. Hoarding makes the situation worse in the long run. However, for those who love to hunt with a classic firearm, a judicious stock of ammunition may be prudent. Ask your local shop to request it for you. Start collecting at shows and swap meets. Here’s hoping everyone manages to round up enough of what they need to have a successful Maine deer season.
¶
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Trail Maintenance 101 by Steve Carpenteri Many avid snowmobile riders have no idea what it takes to maintain Maine’s 14,000-mile trail system. A lot goes into keeping those trails cleared, updated, repaired and groomed each season. The work often starts as soon as the previous year’s
Trail grooming is done at night, because it is safer and more effective. Not only is snowmobile traffic considerably less after 10 p.m., but temperatures are usually colder, which helps the snow set faster behind the groomer. snow has melted, and continues right up to the earliest snowfall. The Maine Bureau of Parks and Land
(BPL) provides four kinds of grants: 1) Club Grants are available to snowmobile clubs regis-
tered with the BPL Snowmobile Program. Grant money is used to help defray the cost of snowmobile trail
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(Continued on next page)
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preparation, including pre-season work and winter grooming. 2) Municipal Grants are available to municipalities for sharing the cost of construction and maintenance of snowmobile trails. Local matching money from the town, city or
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county must be available, and grant application. must be submitted by the town, city or county. 3) Capital Grants are available to political subdivisions and Snowmobile Clubs registered with the BPL. The grant money is meant to help defray the cost of trail grooming equipment. Municipal groomer operators must complete and pass the Groomer Operator Training course for the club to qualify for this grant. 4) Disaster Relief Grants are for remediation due to catastrophic weather events that significantly impact the connectivity of the state funded trail system. With grant money in hand, here is what local clubs and communities must do to keep their trails safe, operational and groomed all winter. 1) Assessing the Trails Snowmobile clubs throughout Maine are responsible for assessing and maintaining local trails year-round. Most of these groups depend on volunteer members, family and friends to maintain endless miles of trails throughout the state. Their efforts include widening trails, excavating stumps and rocks, trimming brush and re-routing trails that interfere with new housing and other development. Club members also spend considerable time working with landowners to gain
permission to establish as well as re-route and maintain existing trails. Club members annually assess each trail for winter damage, including fallen trees, washouts and sapling growth, as well as inspecting bridges, road crossings and signage. Volunteer crews make necessary repairs and upgrades prior to the next season. 2) Clearing Brush For starters, brush, saplings and vines must be removed from the trail. Volunteers may need to carry chain saws, loppers, pole saws, pruners and other tools in order to complete this task. Cut brush, limbs, vines and other debris are either stacked to the sides of the trail right-of-way, or are used to fill holes and washouts. 3) Removing Stumps and Trees Large trees often fall across trails, blocking traffic and causing damage to bridges, kiosks and sign posts. Broken tree trunks and stumps, fallen trees and large limbs are cut up and removed from the trail to avoid accidents and damage once the snow starts to fly. 4) Building or Repairing Bridges Building new or repairing existing bridges can be costly projects that may require the purchase of lumber, fasteners, cables and other materials that must be hauled in on ATVs or hand-carried by volunteers. Bridge building, repair or replacement (Continued on next page)
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34 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Snowmobiling (Continued from page 33)
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.
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(Continued on next page)
can cost hundreds of dollars and require many man-hours of effort. Most Maine trails have dozens of bridges or crossings that must be manufactured and maintained each year. 5) Grooming Once the snow begins to fall and accumulate, snowmobile trails must be groomed to ensure smooth, safe riding for operators with all levels of experience. The best-groomed trails in Maine are meticulously maintained by volunteers who spend long hours, mostly at night, operating expensive machinery to ensure that the trails are ready for use by heavy daytime traffic.
Ideal temperatures for effective trail grooming range between minus-5 and plus-23 degrees Fahrenheit. Heavy, wet snow does not “flow” well, and is subject to the “snowball effect,” building up in the groomer, and creating large chunks of frozen snow that are hazardous to fast-moving sleds. Grooming is done at night, because it is safer and more effective. Not only is snowmobile traffic considerably less after 10 p.m., but temperatures are usually colder, which helps the snow set faster behind the groomer. Also, the lon(Continued on next page)
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������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • November 2023 • 35 (Continued from page 34)
ger the trail sets after grooming, the longer it will last. Depending on temperature, trail setup can take anywhere from two to six hours, but more than 10 hours may be required in areas where there is heavy snowmobile traffic. Get Involved Establishing and maintaining Maine’s intricate network of snowmobile trails, bridges, crossings and signage is a monumental job that is funded by
Bureau of Parks and Land grants and local contributions. The hardest-working clubs depend on dedicated volunteers to maintain local trails throughout the year. For more information on Maine’s snowmobile clubs, the Interstate Trail System (ITS), or to volunteer for a trail maintenance crew, contact the Maine Snowmobile Association through their website, www.MaineSnowmobileAssociation. com.
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Maine riders enjoy thousands of miles of well-groomed trails, thanks to the hard work of dedicated clubs and volunteers across the state. Photo: Maine Snowmobile Association.
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36 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Days of Deer and Ducks Whitetail hunting enthusiasts plan vacation time and wait in anticipation all year for deer camp – the comradery and challenge of bagging a big buck. It’s a matter of pride, accomplishment and woodsmanship for a Maine sportsman to put venison in the freezer season after season. A broad, thick set of antlers and a “Biggest Buck” patch are just frosting on the cake that allows a bit of bragging among long time hunting buddies. Field Overwatch Aroostook County is renowned for its thick forest, which allows for stalk-and-spot tactics, or following a fresh set of tracks along a dense cedar bog. During the last decade or two, however, there’s been an uptick in whitetails tagged by patient, long-gun shooters scouting and
setting watch on large pastures and late-season planted cover-crop farm fields. Large numbers of deer have discovered the vast urban edge agri-land interspersed with small wood lots for cover and far fewer coyote. As cooler weather arrives, more whitetails become rural residents and visit favorite fields at dawn and dusk. My home sits roadside facing north on an 8-acre lot, six of which is field and a bit of woods, just over a mile from Main Street Presque Isle, which is Route 1. I have a 30acre field to my west and one over 200 acres across the road to my north. Deer, moose and bear are regular forage and feed visitors day and night. Few Crown of Maine residents don’t live within a 15-minute drive of fields to sit overwatch
Carson Cushman of Mars Hill took advantage of increasing numbers of urban-edge whitetails, and tagged this nice buck within a mile of his home on a morning outing before heading to high school. All photos provided by the author
for deer, or a multitude of farm roads and two-tracks to sneakand-peek. Most folks
would be surprised how many whitetails are shot during short pre-work outings. Those seeking a new area to explore will find hundreds of fields and small wood lots bordering Route 1A from Fort Fairfield to Limestone, and north to Caswell Plantation. Delorme’s Maine Atlas and Gazetteer, Map 65, Sections A-3 & B-3 offer an overview. Another vast run of farm fields may be reached and explored via the Parsons Road out of Presque Isle and then onto Route 227, a route that’s referred to by locals as the “back way” to Ashland. There’s plenty of open land near Castle Hill and Frenchville for deer to graze; and like most of Aroostook, for each field you see along the road, there are two or three more beyond the tree line or
over the hill. Mile 27 If slow stalking or tenacious tracking remain your favorite style of hunting, head up to the North Maine Woods through Six Mile Gate beyond Ashland, and take a left onto Pinkham Road. Around mile 27 are Chandler Lake and Chandler Mountain on opposite sides of the road. A couple of bird-hunting friends and I found this area overrun with partridge a couple of decades ago, and it still offers great grouse gunning each autumn. What we also noted was an abundance of deer track, scrapes and rubs on several old skidder trails and along the ridges beside long and winding Chandler Mountain Road. Over the years, (Continued on next page)
~ Aroostook County ~
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Driving Aroostook secondary roads and farm field two-tracks at dawn and dusk offer a surprising number of whitetail sightings as deer take advantage of the plentiful feed fields. (Continued from page 36)
members of our small hunting klatch have managed to tag several nice bucks and a few does along this road and on Craigsville Road, which is directly across Pinkham Road to the east. There are other hunters, but the area is never crowded, due to the vast acreage. One local friend and old waterfowling partner of mine has been rattling antlers for bucks long before it was popular in New England. He has tagged a wall-full of trophy antlers over the last fifty years, rattling during the rut all around the Chandler Lake region. The Atlas, Map 57, B-3 will help newcomers find their way. Farm Pond Ducks Whether due to climate change or simply a cyclical weather pattern, we’ve seen a couple of very warm early winters here in The County. Historically, lakes and ponds are frozen over, and even the rivers are slushy with ice chunks and the ducks have migrated south by mid-November. For the last two years, however, mild temperatures and intermittent rain kept ducks and geese around into early December – wonderful for duck hunters, but not very popular with
Greg Palm and Garrett Cushman set decoys on a small farm pond that remained ice free and was, therefore, a duck magnet during a warm November.
deer hunters looking for tracking snow. Most maps don’t do justice to the extensive number of farm ponds, bogs, swales and marshes that polka-dot Aroostook – only a true satellite photo could depict and pinpoint the myriad no-name wet holes. Growing up here is a definite advantage, and extensive back road scouting is the next best option for jump-shooting or de-
coy-hunting local potholes. Most of the fragile, cold-sensitive species like teal, wood duck, gadwall and widgeon are long gone, but fat, full-plumage black ducks and mallards are rampant. At some point during November the last two years, we experienced several days of unusually warm weather, and one or two consecutive days of steady rain. Any snow cover melted,
The Young family of Mars Hill – Abagale, Jered, Zoey and Rocky the Wonderdog – enjoy a great hunt.
easy-to-reach food and water. My buddies and I slogged through the muddy fields, laid out a brown plastic tarp, threw out a half dozen
topsoil thawed, and – for a week or so – any gully or low spot in the potato and grain fields became a temporary pond. These giant mud puddles had local ducks flocking (small pun) to the abundant,
(The County continued on page 39)
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38 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Big Game Recovery for the Off-Road Traveler As a Master Maine guide and hunter, I’ve had to figure out how to get plenty of deer, black bear and moose out of the woods. Most of the deer were dragged out on foot, except for one of my own a few years ago. The black bear all got hauled out with the use of ATVs, and lots of manpower. The biggest of the three species, the majestic moose, required some fancy ATV and truck power. Even though I was always prepared to quarter and carry out a moose, I have
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never had to use the backpack and meat bags I purchased long ago. When a hunter field-dresses game animals quickly and gets them cooled as fast as possible, he or she shows the utmost respect for the life they took. In fact, Maine law prohibits the “waste” of an animal, defined as “intentionally leaving a … killed animal in the field or forest without making a reasonable effort to retrieve and render it for consumption or use.” Wasting game is
also an unethical act, so it’s imperative to get those critters taken care of properly. Planning ahead for bagging a game animal gets a hunter’s mind thinking in a positive manner, and also prepares the hunter for successfully getting the wild meat from the field to the freezer in a speedy fashion. I’m old enough to remember watching grown men drive around town in November with deer strapped over the well-heated hood covering the engine of
their sedans or pickup trucks. There must have been quite a lot of meat spoiled back in those days, just to boost a hunter’s ego. Game Cart One of the last big bucks I had to drag out on foot helped me to realize that I needed a better method to get deer out of the woods. I shot a 210-pound buck over a scrape about 100 yards from my truck. The big deer ran another 100 yards into a dense spruce thicket. After I fired at the deer, I waited a good half hour, to give the
animal a chance to lie down and bleed out. Just as soon as I decided to start tracking the deer in the dry leaves that covered the forest floor, it started raining. A lot of the blood got washed away by the rain, but eventually I found the deer and started the drag. I only had two hundred yards to cover at that point, but let me tell you – I learned right there that I was entering a time in my life in which I had to find an easier method (Continued on next page)
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of getting deer out of the woods. Old age had crept in, and I realized my body just couldn’t do it anymore. I bought one of those carts with big wheels on it, made specifically for recovering big game from the woods. I carry the cart in the back of my truck whenever I’m out deer hunting now. It makes the chore of extracting a big buck from the woods so much easier. However, getting a moose out of the woods is a whole different matter. Moving Moose You don’t just pick a moose up and drag it out on foot. I have a
hard enough time simply rolling them over when I’m field-dressing them. To move a moose, you’ll need a good winch, rope made for towing, and a few pulleys you can strap to trees. At times, I have been able to lift the head of the moose up on the back of an ATV, tie the antlers to the frame, and drag the moose out of the woods. I remember one 800-plus-pound bull I dragged out the woods north of Jackman that had my ATV doing “wheelies” all the way to the truck. I had my client sit on the hood of the machine to keep the front end from lifting, and we slid the
big bull right out of the woods with the power of a 700cc Arctic Cat ATV. Another time, a friend and I hooked our ATVs together and dragged another bull of a similar size right off the side of a steep mountain. The power of both ATVs combined to help slowly ease that big bull down the steep grade of the side of the mountain. The last moose I had to recover was a cow I shot on a permit I had back in 2018. My stepson, Don St. Germain, rigged a pulley on one tree and slowly backed his truck up to drag this 700-pound cow out and around blowdowns, saplings, and a few big
The author had a WARN brand winch installed to the front of his 2010 Tacoma for the occasional moose recovery, as well as for stuck-vehicle extractions that are often required in the backwoods. William Clunie photo
trees. The drag was only about a hundred yards, but we had to angle the drag to avoid the big trees. The best part of the whole drag was backing the truck up to
a huge ditch that made the truck bed level with the logging road. We just rolled the big cow into the truck bed, and that was it.
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The County (Continued from page 37)
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decoys in the puddle, and pulled a length of camo cloth over us as we lay on the waterproof tarp. Most days, it took longer to lug out and set up the gear than it took to knock down a couple of limits of big red legs and green heads. We had no competition, since most sportsmen were deer hunting, and there were dozens of newly created “field ponds” within 20 minutes of home. This unusual duck hunting technique lasts until a cold snap freezes the puddles and ground, or the pods of water dry up naturally. Perhaps global warming trends will make this an annual late fall occurrence. It’s a simple and productive new waterfowling tactic. Barring a late-season Indian Summer, the Aroostook and St. John Rivers will offer hardcore duck and goose gunners last-chance open water. Great November waterfowling with lots of birds and few other hunters is often overlooked in The County – don’t miss out this year.
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40 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Surviving in the Deep Woods Speak with anyone about living in places like Baxter Park and the Allagash, and you’ll hear about the activities that make up their day-to-day existence. First, to survive residing in the deep woods, people spend every minute of every day doing things to make their own lives – and the lives of others they may encounter – safer and more comfortable. They are always conscious of the next task that needs to be completed. These jobs include cutting firewood for the coming winter, maintaining equipment so it is always ready, keeping extra food and clothing for those who are in need, and even updating a shopping list for their next trip to town – a trip that may only occur every two or three weeks. Regardless of the time of year, inhabitants endure the challenges of nature and the environment – bears breaking into camps, blackflies, flat tires, low water, deep snow, and sustaining a steady supply of food and fuel. In the spring and fall, inhabitants may find washedout roads, while during the winter, ice and nor’easters may block travel lanes for days. And when you’re traveling from one place to another, as Bill Green once reported for the “Green Outdoors” in his 1989 WCSH television episode, An Allagash Adventure, “You get up, be prepared for anything that comes you way, and get to a safe location before the sun goes down!” Unfortunately, sometimes lives are lost in the forests due to unpreparedness, inadequate equipment, or poor planning. During my tenure as an Allagash supervisor, other rangers and I responded to such incidents as thefts, drownings, and canoes careening over 40-foot high Allagash Falls. We also responded to instances of arson, miscarriage, accidental shooting, diabetic shock, cuts and bruises, hands impaled with fishhooks, and accidents involving vehicles or snowmobiles. Rangers, wardens, guides and others were always willing to provide aid to any traveler experiencing hardships, and rescuers always hoped to arrive in time. Many times we did, but on occasion, help arrived too late. www.MaineSportsman.com
Frank had heard a shot, so he was not surprised to come across a dead buck in the snow. What he was not expecting, however, was to see a hunter, who was also lying in the snow.
Canoe stuck in Allagash Falls. T. Caverly Collection
I recently learned of one example of a rescue from Mr. Frank Folsen. His true tale involved a hunting-related incident that occurred during a 1950s November deer hunt, when one sportsman came to the aid of another. When lumberman Ed Lacroix moved his woods crews from Churchill Dam Village, several structures were abandoned. Those buildings included a boarding house, supply barn, horse barn, schoolhouse, and family dwellings. After the dam washed out around 1957,
An Aerial Photo of Churchill Dam Village, 1960. T. Caverly Collection
it didn’t take long for sportsmen to discover and occupy the empty buildings, which received frequent use. Early one cold, snowy morning, Frank left one of the Churchill camps, intending to hunt a beechwood ridge northwest of McClusky Brook in T9R12, an area near Churchill Lake. After a time, the hunter picked up the tracks of a large buck that was intently following the estrus scent of a doe. Frank tracked the buck. The buck may not have been aware of being followed, as undoubtedly the animal was focused on his pursuit of the doe. Scrutinizing the forest terrain, Frank moved slowly, cautiously and silently, stopping every few minutes to look and to listen. At any moment, he expected to hear the snap of a broken branch and see the sought-after prey jumping away. When Frank was about two miles from camp, he heard a rifle shot. Curious who might be in the woods ahead, he used his map and compass, and took a bearing on the sound. Eventually Frank arrived at the scene of a dead deer lying in the snow. Near the trophy buck, he saw a man lying on the ground. Fearing the worst, the rescuer checked for vital signs, and discovered the stranger was still alive. However, the hunter was exhibiting the symptoms of a heart attack. Crouching beside the individual, Frank encouraged the pale man to remain calm, and to take slow, steady breaths. At the same time, Frank assured the hunter that help was at hand. After a bit, and with Frank’s help, the individual was able to stand. With both men taking careful and deliberate steps, Frank walked the hunter the two miles to a vehicle, where the man was driven to town and to a doctor’s care. Before the man was sent off to receive medical treatment, however, he inquired about the deer, and Frank assured the rescued man that his deer would be brought out of the woods and returned to him. Tim Caverly has authored twelve volumes about Maine’s northern forest.
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������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • November 2023 • 41
Can There Ever Be Too Many Deer? The doe snorted loudly and stamped her foot in my raised garden bed, as I came around the corner of my house in downtown Farmington. Maybe she was deciding whether to sample the only remaining species of plant in the garden bed – garlic, basil, and mint. She stood her ground, staring at me, less than ten feet away. It was 6 a.m. in the month of May, well after sunrise. Traffic passed by on a nearby busy street; a pedestrian walked her dog on the adjoining sidewalk. I shooed the doe away as I passed by, muttering under my breath. These are not the deer that I grew up with! They seem to be almost a different species from the animals that I learned to hunt as a child. They commit brazen acts of destruction and impertinence that would have earned them a special place on the canning shelf in the root-cellars of my youth. Even brief, early-morning walks from my back door regularly result in sighting 3-10 deer. Sometimes they are slowly strolling in the middle of neighborhood streets. At other times they are munching on garden produce or shrubs grown within an arm’s-length distance of in-town homes. A big doe and two fawns regularly visit my apple tree and mulch pile in the backyard – even at mid-day. They stare balefully at me as I start the lawn mower and then slowly walk away as I mow over their droppings in the grass. Early Fascination Like most Maine deer hunters, from a very young age I was fascinated by whitetail deer. Sighting one at any time of year during my childhood was an event. Sighting one during deer season, when I first learned to hunt back in the 1970s, was a cause for celebration – even if no shots were fired. The scarcity and wariness of deer back then lent them an air of mystery and wildness that sparked our imagination. We thought of them as a scarce but valuable resource – one that would require perseverance and either great luck or immense skill to reduce them to our possession. I read every book I could find about deer hunting. I imagined deer utilized
Mid-day deer make an appearance on the author’s back lawn in Farmington. Photo by Jim Andrews
extraordinary physical senses and reasoning capacities to avoid detection. Stories were told of deer walking backward in their own tracks through the snow, or crawling on their knees through low brush to sneak past a hunter. The deer’s reputation for stealth and cunning invited magical thinking. Back then, I could only imagine a world where I could see deer every day. Two Different Deer Worlds For twenty-five years, I have lived on a street that marks the dividing line between Wildlife Management District (WMD) 13 and WMD 16. The more southerly of these two, District 16, has been a deer factory during that entire period. It stretches south to Lewiston and east to the Augusta and Waterville suburbs. WMD 16 routinely has offered hunters generous opportunities for drawing any-deer permits (6,450 permits in 2023). But the whitetail population continues to grow, and deer densities near Farmington have been markedly higher in the last five years. WMD 13, on the other hand, stretches north from Farmington to the highpeaks region near Sugarloaf Mountain and Flagstaff Lake. It’s a mountainous, less-agricultural, less-populated area, with severe winters. Deer densities have always been lower here. This year, Maine’s DIF&W offered only 765 anydeer permits in WMD 13.
The northward spillover of deer from WMD 16 into towns like Farmington that lie on its northern border, is epic. And the deer in my backyard seem completely satisfied with the situation. A recent town meeting in Farmington mimicked a thousand others that have occurred in New England over the years. Homeowners complain to town officials about garden/landscape damage, potential tick-borne diseases, and traffic safety issues from deer that treat in-town backyards as preferred habitat. Wardens and biologists explain that permitting firearm hunting in densely populated areas is not a viable option. Someone mentions hiring marksmen to cull the herd. Someone else complains that certain neighbors are feeding the deer for their viewing pleasure. A committee is formed, and everyone goes home frustrated. The Curse of Too Many Deer The petitioners in Farmington are perfectly correct about the harm to the general public that too many deer pose. But sportsmen and hunters have concerns that go well beyond traffic safety, tick-borne diseases, landscape damage and fencing costs. As hunters, our knee-jerk reaction is always to advocate for increasing deer numbers. More deer in town should translate to more deer at camp or more opportunity for shooting a deer wherever we hunt. It means availability of multiple doe tags that can be drawn or even purchased. It means easier hunting and higher success rates. But when deer become pests in the public eye, instead of noble wild animals, they get less respect as a species. And we deer hunters suffer that same drop in respect. It becomes harder to convince non-hunters we are engaged in the skillful pursuit of wary game animals in their native habitat. Predators in the presence of prey aplenty have a certain smugness that is a bad look for hunters. No deer at camp this year? No worries – let’s buy a permit to hunt in the suburbs. Too many deer is a bad thing for deer and for deer hunting.
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42 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Hunting Bear During Deer Rifle Season The rain danced on our metal-roofed cabin. With kayaking ruled out for the day, I wandered over to the Matagamon Wilderness General Store to indulge in a coffee. The steam barely had time to swirl out of my cup when two guides strolled in, with a similar agenda. Rainy days have a way of doing that. How did I know they were guides? Well, a couple of patches and well-worn wool pants betrayed their vocation. Both of them had enough gray hair to let me know they had witnessed a season or two. “Do you think bears knocked over that trash can by the cabins?” I asked the older of the two. He sat down across from me and gave me a good long look. Finally, he broke the ice, “No, probably
raccoons on that one, but there’s a lot of bears around.” Maybe he didn’t want to scare me. Bucket List Plan Of course, that got me quizzing him on the bears. I’ve done a fair amount of research into the art of calling bears. While hunting over bait or using a guide with dogs rates as the best way to find success, a low cost, do-it-yourself bear hunt has crept up the ladder on my bucket list. That’s where calling comes in. Calling bears seems to have started out West, and has slowly drifted East. With the General Hunting Season for bears lasting until November 25th, I figured I could blend it in with the Firearms for Deer Season that coincidently ends on the same date. I have
known deer hunters to bag a bruin, mostly without advance planning. (Editor’s note: Mainers with big game licenses can shoot a bear during the regular deer season without holding a special bear license. Out-of-staters, however, need a separate bear permit, which is $40, if purchased for the period during the regular deer season.) I’m not going to, at least intentionally, mix the two. On a given hunt, I will either target deer or bear tactic-wise. The Katahdin Region has terrain that allows big deer and large bruins to roam at will. Intercepting one rates as the challenge. Fall black bears thrive in steep country that reinforces their elusiveness. They still need ravines and natural funnels to connect with food sources. Note the similarity to scouting for deer. Topographical maps, either paper or electronic, help target
Sixteen year-old Ted LaBlanc and his grandfather, Joe Schuttert (who refused to reveal his age) proudly pose for a hero shot over Ted’s first bear. It looks like Ted’s hooked, and this bear promises to be the first of many. Joe Schuttert photo
these necessary travel lanes. Natural Diet Bears have one thing on their mind as they get closer to hibernation – food. Fall bears should have enough fat on them this time of year to put a good bend in the meat pole. Acorns and berries top the list of all natural foods for ursus. It’s critical to figure out not only where the bears currently hang
out, but also where they are headed to. Eventually, they will arrive at their favorite food source. Hunting with bait ended September 23rd, so bears should be back to more natural patterns of looking for native food sources. Bears also need a water source. Other than drinking it, they have a tendency to play in stream-pools, or wher(Katahdin Country continued on page 44)
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������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • November 2023 • 43
Harvesting Trophy Bucks is Goal #1 This Month! Frosty mornings and orange hats signal the beginning of Maine’s firearm deer season (October 30 November 25). Hunters from near and far target the hamlet of Jackman as the hub of big buck country. The iconic scale at Bishop’s Store on Main Street sits ready to record the parade of trophy bucks harvested from the surrounding mountains. So, what’s the trick to tipping that scale north of 200 pounds? It seems everybody looks for that special “tip” or “hot” location where well-aimed slug and deerhide intersect. The internet is ablaze with tactics guaranteed to produce wall-hangers. Scent and game caller companies promise to have deer within boot-licking distance in no time.
Local Intel? One common strategy involves hitting on the locals for big-buck intel. That usually produces mixed results. Does the waitress at the diner really know where that 12-pointer hangs out? Successful hunters will sometimes spill the beans. More often than not, however, they get a little coy when it comes to giving up their prime haunt. A lack of eye contact and a muffled mumble usually means “Forget it.” Rarely will they just say what they really mean: “Go find your own damn buck.” On the other hand, astute listeners can sometimes pick up clues from unassuming conversations. I once overheard a truck driver talking about seeing deer cross a road at the same spot on a regular basis.
With a little topographical map work, I determined there was a long funnel that forced deer to cross at that point. A boots-onthe-ground inspection confirmed a well-worn deer run. That helped me figure where the deer bedded down, and a strategically-placed ground blind resulted in a six-point buck a few weeks later. A great hunt started with an inadvertent tip. Today’s electronic mapping technology really excels at helping hunters figure out a solid strategy. With that said, traditional topographical maps should still have a foothold in every outdoors-person’s arsenal. Deer Calls Deer calls have fascinated me for years. I (Continued on next page)
Nothing like a little tracking snow to get widehorned bucks and hunters alike playing chess in the mountainous Jackman Region. Weather patterns and timing play a key role in hunters’ success. Photo by Stacy Belanger
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44 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Jackman Region
line. Was he shadowing the mock doe? Well, I never got a chance to ask. My 6MM Remington stopped that nice eight-pointer in his tracks. For what it’s worth, he was definitely within earshot. Another hunt, this time utilizing a ground blind, had similar results. After less than an hour of spacing out doe bleats, not one but
two does waltzed by my blind. Fortunately, my peripheral vision picked up a secondary sixpoint buck nosing along after the does. That deer never knew what hit him. Did he come to the call, or did the scents and sounds of potential romance cause him to drop his guard? Not sure, but it worked for me.
A few calling tips I’ve seen repeated by experts key in on the trait that bears have a lazy streak. Calling in short two-minute sequences, followed by a 30-second break, for extended periods of time will get lazy-bones moving. Aggressive calling seems the hot set-up. Much like trophy deer hunting, the wind and a secretive bear’s sharp nose will end a hunt quickly. Instead of lugging a tree stand into deep woods I’ll look for a natural blind utilizing a high vantage point. While deer hunting garners the lion’s share of attention this month, it makes sense to target bears on the move trying to fatten up before their long winter’s nap. A robust bear population and prime hunting opportunities make now the time to consider tacking a prime bear skin on the wall. My bucket list bear hunt may just end up with another deer on the wall. But that’s okay, too!
Lunch Bucket Buck Another decadesold debate involves what time of day to hunt. I’ve got an interesting take on that. Conventional wisdom dictates that the hours around sunrise and sunset produce the most game movement. I would never argue with that. However, my largest buck to date was harvested during what I’ll call “lunch break.” I had built a crude blind in the busy end of a large eastern white pine blowdown. It made sense. Finding a blowdown located downwind from a huge buck scrape was fortunate. Whittling out a comfortable spot in the middle of those pine-scented branches seemed like a no-brainer. With
(Continued from page 43)
have yet to have success with a buck grunt. Not sure why, but I’ll chalk it up to “operator error.” Perhaps I just need to stick with it a little longer. On the other hand, doe bleats have paid off handsomely. During one canoe-based deerhunting trip, I em-
barked on a plan of slowly drifting with the current, while sporadically blowing on the call. My idea was to mock a doe slowly working her way along the stream’s edge. About one mile into the drift, I spotted a set of horns dancing along a distant wood
Katahdin Country
(Continued from page 43)
ever water accumulates. The edges of these water holes exhibit telltail sign. Bear guides I talk with all have a lot of trail cameras. Mostly, they use them in conjunction with their bait sites. That doesn’t mean a one-off guy like me couldn’t use one to monitor a food source or trail that I feel good about. Calling All Bears After all my research trying to learn how to “talk bear,” it seems like a fawn-in-distress call will do the trick. I thought it odd that I’ve used that same call for deer with some success. Maybe a mixed bag is in the future after all. Not having to buy a new set of calls will help my do-it-yourself hunt stay on budget. At the same time the possibility of a predator homing in on my calls rates as a real possibility.
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pine pitch creating a natural scent and the wind in my face, I waited. At about noontime, I quietly unwrapped a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch. About then, I caught a glimpse of two does slipping through the forest. I put the sandwich down, and wrapped my paws around my Model 94. Another five minutes drifted by before a 10-pointer stepped into his scrape. The hammer dropped on the Winchester, and so did Old Wide-Horns. The distance between the end of the barrel and my trophy? A mere 25 yards. The point here is simply when to hunt. My rule is to hunt whenever you can, regardless of the time. Hunting at the conventional peak hours is certainly a great idea. However, don’t overlook the off-peak hours, especially if the rut is in full swing. My “hot” tip is this: Hunt whenever you can, wherever you can and as often as you can. Using that secret formula, your odds increase dramatically.
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Big Country; Big Deer You’re used to the heavy cover of Central or Midcoast Maine. Perhaps your idea of a great deer-hunting spot is a secluded section of reverting farmland, or maybe you favor a treestand built on an ancient maple along a crumbling stone fence. Success in such places requires that the hunter sit, motionless, in a place where deer travel, so as to get a killing shot. This highly productive hunting method stands as one of the best ways to take a
Hunting the Moosehead Region is very different from hunting apple orchards and woodlots in more populated areas of the state. Because of the vast areas to be covered, a hunter must take the initiative, develop a plan, and go find the deer. The author explains how. deer in the thick woodlots and overgrown farmland of Southern, Coastal and Central Maine. But in the Moosehead Region, it’s like sitting in the middle of the ocean and waiting for a mackerel to swim past your boat. It may happen, but it’s not likely.
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Anyone traveling roads in the Maine North Woods or just on paper company roads in the region, will quickly realize that this is nothing like the back 40 at home. Here, miles of open vistas greet the visitor at every turn. Ranges of mountains large and small line the area –
places with practically unrestricted visibility. Several things come immediately to mind. That treasured .30-30 Winchester carbine is obviously not up to the task. It may be good for sitting in an apple tree and shooting a deer 40 yards away, but here, where shots are often
100 yards or more, the old Winchester falls short. Second, treestands, including climbers and saddles, are near-useless here. You could sit up in a tree for many years and not spy even one deer. Clearly, this calls for another kind of hunting method. Travel Areas For someone who has never hunted in this type of terrain, it makes all kinds of sense to hire a local guide. This person can give a primer on (Continued on next page)
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46 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Moosehead Region (Continued from page 45)
how to hunt in such a big, wide-open area, where and why the deer travel, and how best to intercept them. Of course, your guide will work hard to help you get your deer, but even if you don’t score, you will have learned some valuable lessons on deer hunting in the big woods. Here, knowledge is everything. In years past, my friend and Maine guide Bob Lawrence used to send a package of tips, notes and a list of do’s and don’ts to deer hunters booking with him for the first time. It was the first step in Bob’s valuable tutorial on what approach was necessary for deer-hunting success in the Moosehead Re-
gion. While anyone can sit in a blind or a stand, hunting in the big woods is an extremely active sport. Here, instead of sitting and hoping for a deer to come by, a hunter must cover ground in order to get a shot. This doesn’t mean just heading out willy-nilly through the woods and hoping for the best. You must have a plan. Here are two methods that will put venison on the table. The Plan Either way you go about it, you need a plan, and that includes a knowledge of the lay of the land. You need a set beginning point, and a hoped-for ending point. A map helps,
and a compass is indispensable. Modern GPS systems are great, but they represent technology, and technology sometimes fails. So use your GPS, but always carry a compass for backup. What you do next depends upon whether you are hunting solo or hunting with a group. If with a group, one method is to have one part of your group set out for the end destination, but by a certain route. Then you – or you and the rest of the group – strike out by a different route. The thought here is twofold. You must be on the alert for any chance encounter with a deer. This means looking not just for the whole animal, but also for parts of any deer (such as a flicking ear), if the animal is standing while being partially hidden. Also, while working as part of a group to purposely attempt to move deer toward others is pro-
Eric Holbrook took this fat 6-point buck last season by tracking on the snow.
hibited, be on the lookout for deer that other hunters may have spooked. The other method – this a solo one – also requires a thorough knowledge of the lay of the land. Strike out on your own, looking not only for deer, but also
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Moosehead Region
for fresh tracks. A bit of snow helps, and November in the Moosehead Region often sees snow. Keep on the trail, and hopefully you will spot the deer before the sun sets. This requires being in top physical shape. This latter method is how my buddy Eric Holbrook took his buck last year. It took him some time, but Eric stayed on the track long enough to finally get a shot. His determination paid off. The same can pay off for you, too. Good luck here this season.
(207) 349-0366 • www.HolbrooksGuideService.com
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The Cookie Man and The Hound Dog Warden Bruce Galeucia had just transferred to the Dexter area in the early fall of 1989, and I suggested that he accompany me one November night to go work in one of my favorite spots in the Town of Levant. On the way there, I explained that we would park in an area overlooking some big fields that I had worked many times before. When we arrived, I backed up between the rear of a big barn and the farmhouse. Bruce commented, “You must know the property owners,” and I assured him that I did know them quite well. As soon as we got situated in the proper spot, the outside yard light went out. I told Bruce that my friend Charlie had seen us back in, and had turned out the light so we would not be seen by a vehicle going by on the road. Additionally, I told Bruce that Charlie would be out to see us shortly and to tell us some kind of joke. Then, after that, he’d ask us if we would like some coffee. We’d say, “Sure, that would be great,” and he’d go back to the house and come back in a few minutes with two cups of coffee and cookies on a tray. Charlie was known to all of us as the Cookie Man. As it turned out, it all happened just as I had predicted. This enhanced my credibility with Bruce, plus I could act quite nonchalant about being so intuitive. Charlie went back inside, and after we finished our coffee, I placed the tray on the back steps, as that was the usual procedure. Time to Wait Full of coffee and cookies, we settled in for the evening, waiting for some opportunist to come along in an attempt to bag one of the numerous whitetails frequenting Charlie’s fields and apple trees. There was little traffic on this back road, but about 10 p.m., a short-bed Ford pick-up came along from a westerly direction at a very slow speed. Just below the barn, it stopped and turned in the road so as to illuminate the field across the road. Bruce went to the front corner of the barn to watch as the truck straightened
I asked the suspect whether he thought the judge would buy the story he was giving me. “I doubt it,” he replied.
The suspect claimed he was illuminating fields in order to look for his cousin’s coon hound, and that they were stopping along the road to holler for the dog. The warden asked for the name of the dog. “I don’t know,” the suspect replied. Photo: Tessleymoor Farm Gundogs
out, and then continued down the road. I had stayed in my truck and could see from behind the barn as it traveled down the road that it was stopping again and turning in the road. I started the truck and shouted to Bruce, “Come on – we’re leaving!” Time to Go Out into the road we went, starting down the hill without lights. As we began to close the gap, the suspect’s brake lights came on, and it turned sideways in the road again. I slowed up and let them finish that illuminating maneuver. When they got back straight in the road, I put on all the lights, but the truck did not immediately stop. It kept going at 15 or 20 miles an hour. We could see there were three people in the cab with a lot of gyrations going on. After 200 yards, it stopped, and we proceeded to get out and speak with the occupants.
What’s Going On, Boys? Right off, we could see they had a 30’06 bolt action rifle with a scope sitting between the right-side passenger’s legs. The rifle was empty, as the cartridges were all over the floor, with one resting on the seat between the man’s legs. The owner of the truck was also the operator, so I asked him to come join me in my truck so we could talk about this. He agreed, and after we instructed him on his Miranda rights, he told me he had a logical explanation. He said that he and his friends were playing cards, when someone called and talked to his girlfriend and told her that his cousin had lost his coon hound. They decided to be helpful and go look for the dog. I asked how did they know where to look and he stated they had just taken a route where he knew his cousin sometimes hunted coons. I asked how did you go about looking. His answer was, “Well, you know, we would just drive along and look into fields.” I inquired about the rifle, and he said they didn’t even realize they had it until those blue lights came on and they figured they better get the bullets out of it before they stopped for me. He added that sometimes they would stop, get out, and holler for the dog. I asked “What is the dog’s name?” and he said he didn’t know. I then asked how he could holler for the dog, not knowing his name. He said “Well, we just hollered ‘Come, dog!’” I asked “If you did that, wouldn’t just any old dog come?” He replied, “Maybe, but none has come yet.” I asked if he thought the judge would buy that story, and he replied, “I doubt it.” Things didn’t go well for the boys, as we subsequently learned there was no missing coon dog. However, about two years later I ran into the helpful coon dog finder at Nicky’s Cruisin’ Diner in Bangor. The guy did possess a good sense of humor, so I asked him if he ever found that coon dog. He replied, “No, but I’m still looking.”
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48 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Searching for Giants A few months ago, I wrote about how Maine’s forests store carbon as a buffer against climate change. While writing that column, I came across several articles about big trees. Really big trees. There’s an exclusive club in the forests of New England: the grandest, oldest, and most magnificent trees in each state that earn a place on their state’s register of big trees, listed by species. And the biggest of those are listed on the National Register of Champion Trees. Since 1940, American Forests, the oldest national conservation organization in the United States, has been encouraging foresters, landowners and the public to find and protect big trees, especially those standing in virgin, old-growth forests. Since then, botanists, arborists and adventurers have ventured out in search of towering giants across the landscape, some hidden deep in the forest, and some just down the block or across the field. Maine’s statewide register, maintained by the Maine Forest Service, lists both native and non-native or ornamental trees, last updated in 2020. Jan Santerre, keeper of the list, plans an update this winter. You can find the nomination form on the Maine Forest Service’s Project Canopy website: www.maine. gov/dacf/mfs/policy_ www.MaineSportsman.com
What makes a tree truly big? Height? Girth? The width of the crown? The author de-mystifies the competitive search for Maine’s, and New England’s, largest trees – a search that for some “big-tree hunters” borders on an obsession. management/project_ canopy/programs Universal Scoring Formula and Questions How are big trees measured? This is where it gets complicated. The widely accepted formula used nationally is the following: Trunk circumference in inches + Height in feet + ¼ Average Crown Width in feet = Total Points But measuring trees is not always easy. The American Forests guide for measuring trees for the national register runs a full 86 pages. It includes some simple methods using just a tape measure and yardstick to determine if a tree is worth nominating for the list. But it can get tricky out in the woods, requiring judgment and more extensive equipment. For example: • When measuring trunk circumference (at 4.5 feet from the ground), what if the tree is on a steep slope? • When a tree has multiple trunks, is it multiple trees? • How do you measure the height of a tree leaning at an angle? • Determining and measuring the average crown spread is
White pines can grow big in Maine. The state’s largest is 105’ tall. Photo: Maine Forest Service
often the hardest measurement, when the crown is uneven in different dimensions and heights. A national cadre of trained experts is available to determine if a nominated tree might be a champion. The American Forests formula tends to favor trees with a huge girth. Height obviously is important, but some of the tallest trees, like Maine’s famous eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), tend to grow straight and relatively slender. According to Jan Santerre, some of the tallest white pines in Maine are in the Ordway Grove in Norway, Maine right off Pleasant Street, with several over 140 feet tall. These trees are estimated to be over 200 years old. But none
are considered the biggest, using the standard formula. The Big Ones Maine’s highest scoring tree is a northern red oak (Quercus rubra) in Lovell that measures a whopping 255 inches in circumference, 88 feet tall, with a crown of 24 feet, for a total of 367 points. The current state champion eastern white pine is in Sumner, measuring just 105 feet tall. It has a circumference of 244 inches and a 15foot crown, for a total of 364 points. A white pine in Fryeburg has been measured at 130 feet tall and a total of 370 points, although that one apparently is not yet official. New Hampshire’s biggest white pine is in Sanbornton – 131 feet tall, and 372 points. The Oxford County Soil & Water Conservation District maintains its own list for the county, current as of 2022. Seventeen trees on the Oxford County list are on the Maine list as state champion, including those two big white pines, plus the highest-scoring northern red oak. Oxford County claims the largest white ash (70 feet tall and 334 total points, in Waterford), sil-
ver maple (96 feet tall and 395 points, in Fryeburg), and remarkably, the biggest American chestnut at 114 feet tall and 213 points, in Hebron. The Quest for Giants The big tree registers function as both a record and an invitation. Those who pursue big trees sometimes refer to it as big-tree hunting. For some, it borders on obsession. The names of a dozen discoverers appear on the Maine list multiple times. Why pursue these giants? Each tree is a living chronicle, bearing witness to decades of history, potentially predating the foundation of the United States itself. Their rings and rugged bark carry the stories of time – each a tangible connection to the historic events that shaped our nation. These trees are also central to their ecosystems, offering shelter and sustenance to wildlife. The stands where they grow function as biodiversity hotspots, nurturing birds, insects, and small mammals from top to bottom, even underground. A big-tree adventure could turn into an educational journey, teaching you the intricate relationships woven into the landscape. Why not visit a champion tree near you? Let the adventure begin.
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Saddle-Hunting – Harder Than You Think! Saddle hunting has exploded in popularity, especially for bow hunters. For a couple of years, I’ve watched others and wished for a saddle so that I could slip into a spot and bow hunt where I didn’t have a tree stand. I have a climber, but am not a fan of it, because of a fear of falling and on account of the fact that it weighs enough to cause me to work up a good sweat getting into the woods. I worried whether or not I would be able to use a saddle, since admittedly, I’m no spring chicken and I have artificial knees. I was undecided, until someone said they didn’t think I could do it. The challenge was on; I wasn’t about to let anyone tell me I couldn’t do something. I purchased a saddle, a set of four lightweight climbing sticks, and a platform, for $380. The saddle had good reviews, as did the steps and platform.
The author is a savvy outdoorswoman – how difficult could it be to use a tree saddle for hunting? Thirty minutes and only 10 feet of elevation later, she realized that climbing a tree like lineman climbs a power pole is not a simple process. Undeterred, the author invites helpful input from experienced saddle-users. When it arrived, I was excited but slightly overwhelmed, thinking about carrying all that gear. I put everything into my closet, where it sat on the floor for several months. Back Out of Storage With bow season around the corner, I finally took time after work to try out my set-up. I read and reread the directions. I watched online videos. I was thinking it would be pretty easy, since I’ve put up climbing steps and hang-on stands and I’ve always been physically strong, so off I went to find a tree to climb. I even brought along what little bit of directions were included, in case I needed them.
Saddle hunting requires a formidable pile of gear. Photo by the author
I decided on an oak tree that seemed smaller and manageable, but tall and straight. I carried the steps in my backpack, but they were too long to permit me to close the zipper. I wore my harness with two tethers attached, and carried the platform. It was fairly easy to carry, but I didn’t even consider bringing my bow. I brought along a pullup rope to bring up the platform. In my mind, I’d attach the climbing sticks to my harness, much like a lineman.
instructions. Kissing the Tree I’m not sure where this idea of always being 100% attached to the tree comes from, because until your harness is attached to the tree, you’re not attached. I just kept thinking, “One wrong move, and I’ll be kissing the tree or the climbing stick with my face.” I worked quietly, and kept the cussing to a minimum, but I’m not sure I was that quiet. My feet began to get tired from the narrow steps – I should have worn a stiffer -soled boot. I dropped Step #4, but didn’t care by then. I’d settle for three steps. I finally pulled the platform up, and mounted it off to the right, just above the third step. And then I realized I forgot the third tether, to which I needed to attach my harness once I was on
No Good Instructions Standing at the base of the tree, I was able to put on the first two steps, and then
began climbing to put on the third and fourth steps. I struggled with getting the looped strap around the tree. As I sat back and kept the tether straps high and tight, I realized I was farther from the tree than I should be, so I couldn’t reach anything. The step strap kept getting tangled in the tether, which then kept sliding below the recommended hip level, and I struggled more. All the while, I wished for more mosquito repellent. It was also difficult to move the tethers in order to climb. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to use them independent of each other or not – again, there were no good written
The author celebrates her first ascent, in a photo she titles “Forcing a smile.” She hopes that practice will make perfect.
The author’s nephew, Chris Yoos, is an avid saddle hunter. Here, he makes it look easy. Photo: Matthew Everett
(Get Out There continued on page 51)
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50 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Cast, Blast ’n’ Last Name Unlike most little girls, I never dreamt of my wedding day. I wanted to get married, but never pictured myself having a large, traditional wedding with pomp and circumstance. As I grew older, I learned about the cost, stress, and amount of time it takes to plan a wedding, and I decided an elopement would do just fine. So when Travis proposed in 2021, I suggested we elope in Montana – just the two of us. He was on board, as long as we got to do a little fishing. Mountains and Plains Montana has always held a special place in my heart. I first went when I was 13 years old, on a family vacation. My dad worked as a bartender at Lake McDonald
The author went “home” to Montana, one of her favorite places, to hike, fish, and get married. We expect it’s now one of her new husband’s favorite places, as well.
The couple’s favorite hike was the Dawson-Pitamakan loop – 19 miles, 4,000 feet of elevation, and unbelievable views. Photo by the author
Lodge in Glacier National Park when he was in college, so he was eager to share this place with my mother, brother and me. We fell in love with the towering Rocky Mountains that seemed to touch heav-
The waters in Glacier National Park are icycold, even in July. Photo by Travis Elliott www.MaineSportsman.com
en, juxtaposed against the endless sprawling plains. We returned a few more times as a family, and I spent a college summer working on the DeBoo ranch in Valier. The ranch was a 5,000-acre black an-
gus ranch on Blackfeet land. I assisted with horseback rides and branding cattle, but mostly I fixed fences. Ice-Cold Water Our elopement would be my sixth time back to Big Sky Country, and Travis’s first.
The westslope trout is a native variety of cutthroat trout. Travis Elliott photo
It was mostly a hiking trip (we hiked sixty miles in five days), but we did some fishing. Glacier National Park no longer stocks its waters, but there are wild and native fish. Despite it being July, the glacier-fed streams and lakes were ice cold; some even had icebergs! We decided to fish to our strengths – that is, our strength itself. We did long hikes and fished backcountry ponds, where few anglers ventured. Favorite Hike Our favorite hike was the Dawson-Pitamakan loop, a grueling 19-mile hike with nearly 4,000’ in elevation gain. The trail followed the Continental Divide for a few miles, offering unbelievable views. (Continued on next page)
The author’s cast-and-blast marriage and honeymoon was rounded out with efforts to target some prairie dogs (gophers). Travis Elliott photo
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As passerby tourists voiced their approval, the couple exchanged vows in picturesque Glacier National Park. Photo credit: Carrie Ann Photography (Continued from page 50)
Eight miles in, we took a side trail to Oldman Lake – a trail that’s regularly closed for grizzly activity. We gave ourselves only an hour to fish, since we still had a long hike ahead. I cast a Black Ghost on sinking line into the turquoise water, and scanned for bears. On my second cast, I landed a beautiful 14” native west-
slope cutthroat trout. Travis caught a few as well, and we both agreed this was the most beautiful place we had ever fished. Husband and Wife We eloped on a smoky July 14th in the park. I did my hair and makeup in our motel room, and Travis put a Just Married sticker on our rental car. As we exchanged vows with our photographer, tourists drove
Get Out There (Continued from page 49)
the platform. It didn’t seem to matter, since I wasn’t sure how I was going to get my tether around and over the platform to climb higher. Ten Feet in 30 Minutes At that point, I didn’t feel safe climbing any higher without a safety line, so I climbed down. It had taken me more than thirty minutes to climb
by hooting and hollering. It was low key and full of love. The next morning, we drove to the DeBoo ranch, where I had worked. The owners, Chuck and Cary, greeted us warmly, and I checked out their new garage, and their new “bottle calves” (calves that must be bottle-fed). It felt like coming home. We jumped in Chuck’s F250, and he
gave Travis a tour of the ranch. When we saw a gopher (prairie dog), we jumped out and tried to shoot it with one of Chuck’s .22s. It was great practice, shooting 50 yards at a small, moving target. After a hearty dinner of fresh black angus ribeye from the ranch, the four of us took the horses out for an evening ride and swim. That eve-
about 10 feet, and I didn’t even get to stand on the platform. I refuse to be defeated from my first attempt that felt entirely disorganized and clumsy. It wasn’t that I couldn’t climb, but it was more about not knowing the specifics of climbing. There were no instructions on how to get everything from the ground to the tree without making several trips. None of the videos I watched actually showed someone climbing from the beginning. Do I make several climbs to get it all up, or am I supposed to be able
ning, we sat around the campfire and marveled at the stars in the dark, clear, endless sky. Changes I thought about what had and had not changed since I was last there. Some of the horses were different, but the expansive grassy plains remained unchanged. And I had a new last name.
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to do it all at once? I also don’t have a gear organizer to hang my bow, binoculars, rangefinder, and call, once I actually get into position. Do saddle hunters leave climbing sticks and platforms in place, or do you put them up every time? I’m not giving up—yet. From what I’ve read, the more you try it, the easier it gets. However, I’m up for any suggestions you readers can offer to make saddle hunting a reality, before I’m too old to do it.
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52 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Whitetails and Black Ducks Targeted This Month Carefully, I shuffled my way along the gravel road for 150 yards, stepping on the grass growing in the middle of the road to muffle any sound of my footfalls. Once I reached my destination, I silently pulled my 30-’06 clip from my camouflaged-pants pocket, and placed it into my Model 742 Remington semi-automatic. The bolt slid easily back and then forward, chambering a 160-grain, soft-point bullet. At the bottom of the hill, I stopped and stood motionless. I watched and waited for half an hour before I spotted a spike-horn buck running toward the dirt road. Raising my rifle, I focused my Vortex Crossfire II scope on the deer. The small buck glided silently out through the thick fir growth, and stopped behind a stone wall, about 30 feet away. I squeezed the trigger, and the shot dropped the deer instantly. More Any-Deer Permits This Year This year, thou-
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After putting his name in the lottery for 30 years, the author finally received an any-deer permit for his “home” WMD, 26. With a bit of luck, he’ll be able to tag out this November. sands of hunters applied for the 108,070 antlerless deer permits that were issued statewide. According to Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIF&W) biologists, this number represents an increase in antlerless-deer permits in most of Maine’s Wildlife Management Districts (WMDs). An examination of Delorme’s Atlas & Gazetteer, Maps 15, 23, and 25 should help hunters select prime deer-hunting habitat. A high deer-density exists in the forest and farmlands between Route 1 and the Atlantic Ocean. Where in the past I’ve seen two or three deer along this route, I am now seeing four, five and even six deer per field. In WMD 26, my residence, 2,660 antlerless-deer permits were issued, while another 250 bonus permits were issued in sub-unit 26a. In the
towns of Bucksport and Castine, deer are so numerous that both towns have an expanded-archery season. Fortunately for me, I received a permit for WMD 26, and several friends have given me permission to hunt on their property. Yes, after putting my name in the lottery for 30 years, I will finally be able to shoot a buck or a doe in WMD 26. With a bit of luck, I will be able to tag out this November. WMD Statistics 2022 Annual figures published by DIF&W list the 2022 deer harvest, and show that collectively, hunters in numerous towns in WMD 26 and 26a tagged over 100 deer last year. These towns include Bucksport (286), Orrington (226), Orland (180) and Penobscot (145). The coastal habitat of WMD 27 contains hundreds of acres of hayfields, blueberry fields and cultivated farmlands, with an ample amount of prime cover to sustain an ever-increasing deer herd. These coastal towns in WMD 27 also showed an increase in last year’s deer har-
vest. Some of the top deer kills occurred in the towns of Milbridge (117), Addison (115) and Harrington (103). Review DeLorme’s Map 25, D-3 for areas in Harrington and Milbridge that offer prime deer habitat between Route 1 and Route 1A. Other areas that contain pockets of deer are located near Hardwood Hill in Addison, Map 25, D-5. When reviewing maps for prime deer habitat, pay special attention to side roads and stream bottoms. It’s Bird Season, Too! For coastal hunters who prefer feathers to buckskin, this is prime time to hunt migrating or native ducks in the Downeast Region. Black ducks and mergansers should be plentiful on most area lakes, ponds and streams. By reviewing DeLorme’s Map 23, hunters can find numerous freshwater duck habitats that contain some fast wing-shooting, as described in more detail below. Most of these waters are suitable for a canoe or a small boat. Preliminary fall sightings seem to fore-
cast a banner year for duck hunters. DIF&W biologist Kelsey Sullivan is optimistic in his outlook for duck and goose hunting this coming season. A good location for camouflaged duck hunters to set out decoys is Silver Lake, Map 23, D-2. High concentrations of migrating ducks settle down on the northern end of the lake near the submerged islands. This isolated section of Silver Lake, according to shorefront owner Bob Chasse of Bucksport, offers hunters a good chance to set up a duck blind and wait for migrating birds to come into shotgun range. There are many other excellent locations on the lake to wait for low-flying ducks. Black ducks and mergansers should still be plentiful at this time of year. Another area where migratory-duck populations abound is along the inlet stream of Alamoosook Lake, locally known as the Dead River, Map 23, D-3. Duck gunning is often fast and furious at the point where the river empties into the lake. Jump-shooting is an excellent method on this water; however, a well-placed blind and a raft of decoys can create outstanding duck-hunting results.
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Browse Lines Tell All It’s a sure bet that while driving through the country, many people see browse lines along field and powerline edges, but don’t recognize them for what they are. Browse lines seem so level and perfectly trimmed that the uninitiated could easily mistake them for something created by a person with trimming shears. But in fact, browse lines are an indication that deer live in the neighborhood, and that this might be a good place to secure permission to hunt. During severe winters, deer reach up as high as they can to nibble on cedar leaflets. When multiple deer are involved, the effect is geometrical and neat-looking. The more extensive the browse line, the more the probability that the area has a hardy deer population. Browse lines don’t disappear quickly, but rather linger for years. In their hunger, deer keep the cedars perpetually trimmed. So these features represent an easy way to locate worthwhile deer-hunting spots. Deer Galore Midcoast Maine, along with parts of Southern and Central Maine, hold the highest deer populations in the state. The only problem is that despite deer galore, finding a place to hunt becomes more difficult with each passing year.
generally fishing for big fish, since DIF&W routinely stocks 12- to 14-inch fall yearling trout in fall, as well as some spent broodstock trout. Some of these broodstock fish can weigh up into the double digits. Imagine hooking on to a 10-pound brown trout in one of these small rivers. Despite the above-average size of fish at this time of year, you needn’t use above-average size lures. In fact, these bigger fish will more readily accept small lures over standard and large-size lures. This makes ultralight spinning gear a top choice for November fishing. I recommend using new 4-pound test line, in case you hook on to one of those monster-size broodstock trout. Also – and it’s time I take my own advice – check the last few feet of line before making that first cast. I have lost more trout and salmon than I care to admit, because of an undetected flaw in the line. Don’t you do the same.
Look for distinct browse lines to detect the presence of large deer populations, and then do what you need to do to secure permission to hunt, or find a state-run WMA. And don’t forget fishing for trout – including lunkers – in select, stocked rivers where angling is permitted through the month. After the Covid crisis, people from urban areas began buying up Maine land and houses at an alarming rate. Many of these folks immediately posted their land. So unless you own your own woodland, or have a friend who allows you to hunt on their land, securing permission to hunt has become a real challenge. Some people circumvent this problem by getting together with like-minded individuals and buying woodland in common. This guarantees a place to hunt. For most others, we have one saving grace, and that is Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) overseen by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (DIF&W). You can contact DIF&W for information on your local WMAs. Also, the Delorme Atlas illustrates WMA boundaries and names, with the entire area being shaded in green so it is easy to recognize. Oddly enough, come deer season, many prime WMAs see relatively few hunters. A place may be overrun with bird hunters in October, but come Novem-
ber, the crowds largely disperse. Fall Fishing The advent of year-round fishing in selected, stocked rivers, gives outdoor folk something else to enjoy in fall. Typically, DIF&W stocks these places with fall yearling trout, both brook and brown, in fall. These fish are primed and ready come November. The recent warming trend has given us increasingly milder weather in November, so while it may get very cold, and snow may fall, chances are that conditions will be at the least manageable. Two fall-stocked, Midcoast rivers, the St. George River in Searsmont and the Medomak River in Waldoboro, see great fishing in fall, even through November. Most of these “rivers” are in fact only large streams. A good hand with an ultralight spinning rod could easily cast all the way across many of these rivers. Unfortunately, year-round rivers are not as easy to locate as WMAs. The DeLorme Atlas makes no distinction between year-
round waters and any other waters. However, year-round waters are defined in the fishing law rulebook under the description of laws pertaining to that water. So if you wonder if a certain river has a year-round fishing provision attached to it, just look it up, by name, in the lawbook. Because of the popularity of these yearround rivers, I prefer to visit them on nasty days, since that’s when competition is limited, if present at all. Also, early mornings are a time when you can find some prime spots to yourself. All in all, these specially-regulated rivers fill a valuable niche – one that allows us to stay outdoors, pursuing our sport, far later than in previous years. Lure Choice When fishing these year-round rivers in November, you are
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54 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Don’t Underestimate November’s Potential Leaden skies, cool weather, the smell of woodsmoke in the air – November certainly doesn’t sound like a prime month for trout fishing. The constant chance of an early-season snowfall further paints a gloomy and foreboding picture. And yet, November can rate as a standout month for trout fishing. All the above attributes combined do not diminish the trout-fishing potential for the eleventh month. One thing, though, the arrival of freezing conditions, resulting in frozen streamsides, effectively puts a period at the end of open-water trout fishing. I realize that some people are perfectly happy to don chest waders and, breaking shelf ice as they go, wade out to midstream and continue fishing. I see two things wrong with this. First, even in more comfortable conditions, it is seldom necessary to wade, since an ultralight rod, with its thin line, is usually capable of casting more than halfway across any year-round trout stream. Second, the potentials for hypothermia and worse are greatly elevated when wading in wintry conditions. Wading now is mostly unnecessary, and perhaps even foolhardy. When ice forms on streams, it is usually cold enough to impair www.MaineSportsman.com
If the weather stays warm and the streams don’t freeze, November stands as a little-appreciated opportunity to fish for large holdover trout. Better yet, there’s little competition from other anglers! flexibility in the fingers, and perhaps even lead to frostbite. At that point, I’m happy to put my gear away until next spring, or at least until a break in the weather brings about better circumstances. Trout Active But enough of ice and snow. In recent years, Novembers have become increasingly warmer, and first snow dates have occurred later. This makes November a perfect month for streamside activity. Trout, with the exception of rainbows, spawn in fall, which is why in the past, the season closed in mid-September. But the advent of fishing for 12- to 14-inch stocked trout in yearround streams and rivers has given us a whole new season for a whole new kind of trout fishing. These year-round rivers usually offer little or no spawning habitat. The object here is not to establish a self-sustaining population, but instead to offer immediate results on recently-stocked trout, and also the chance of taking carryover fish from previous stockings. This idea of carryover trout has always
es, especially where a downstream pond can harbor springstocked trout through the summer’s heat, trout begin heading upstream with the first inkling of cool weather. This must be combined with rising water levels, which further stimulate the spawning urge. To that end, anglers must depend upon the opening of upstream dams, in order to lower water levels in anticipation of wintertime ice buildup, the arrival of fall rains, or a combination of both. The author caught this November salmon in a year-round stream, using ultralight spinning gear. Brook trout, too, are available to the determined angler.
appealed to me. I have realized that this can only occur given certain conditions. A stream or river must have some carryover capacity. This comes mostly in the form of large, deep pools, featuring high, dissolved oxygen levels. From these pools, trout will range out, usually upstream, because of the spawning urge. Even though any spawning activities are mostly unsuccessful, the trout still go through the motions. In some plac-
Sporadic Arrivals Like the arrival of southbound migrating woodcock in fall, trout from sheltered downstream areas do not head upstream all at once, but rather in small groups – a few each day. So you can fish a potentially good section of stream today and not even imagine a trout, but on the following day, the place may be home to a handful of trout. This underscores the importance of not placing all your eggs in one basket, but instead hitting the stream on a regular basis, hoping that this will be the day the fish have arrived. What’s so special about these carryover,
stocked trout? Well, by virtue of having lived in the system longer, they are bigger and often fatter than freshly -stocked fish. That alone should be a great incentive. In addition to being larger, these carryover trout are the next best thing to wild, stream-raised trout. Trout become naturalized in the relatively short time of one season. Their coloration, especially in fall, becomes outstandingly brilliant. As a consequence of living in the wild for some time, these fish, at least in my opinion, fight harder and longer than their newly-stocked brethren. Finally, even the flesh of these holdover trout becomes finer and richer. Fewer Anglers With all the good fishing available in November, we never see the crowds of spring. The urge to get out and wet a line after a long, cold winter has power to bring out legions of hopeful anglers, more than at any other time of year. For whatever reason, this leaves November as a month of great fishing, with far fewer people with whom to compete. Remember that although the water temperature has dropped, trout fight as well and better than during the warmer months. So get out and have fun.
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Tilting at Windmills It is sometimes said that the road to disaster is paved with good intentions. The climate is changing, and toward the goal of replacing fossil fuels, both state and federal administrations are increasingly promoting alternative energy sources like offshore wind power. On the surface, it seems a worthy crusade, but what about the unintended consequences that lie beneath the waves? The Gulf of Maine hosts one of the richest fishing grounds in the world, supporting a multimillion-dollar industry for just the State of Maine alone, and much more for other states along the seaboard. The state has established a “Roadmap” leading toward a relatively small-scale experimental floating wind power array in the Gulf. Meanwhile, the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has announced a much more ambitious plan for commercial leasing and development that, at present, includes over 13 million acres. The ostensible purpose is to stem the tide of climate change. However, in my view there are many risks involved that may far outweigh the rewards.
In this opinion piece, the author questions the headlong rush by state and federal agencies to award commercial leases and encourage development of offshore wind facilities, when so little is known about the potential negative impacts on such iconic Maine species as lobsters, haddock and tuna.
Offshore wind farms could pose a significant risk to fish, crustaceans and marine mammals. Photo of minke whale by Bob Humphrey
What’s Happening Already Before you can assess potential damage, you need to know what’s out there. The Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) and the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) have launched a laudable effort toward collecting what baseline data they can, given severely limited resources. Elsewhere, as offshore windfarms are already being established, resource managers and researchers are scrambling to gather whatever information they can to better evaluate impacts. Meanwhile, they’re also examining data from other areas like Europe, where windfarms have been in place for some time.
The outlook isn’t favorable. Infrastructure, and Side Effects Cables need to be laid in order to transmit power to shore. That process disrupts the seabed and the creatures that live in and on it, also creating a sediment plume that can be carried for miles by the Gulf’s strong currents. And speaking of current, those cables emit electromagnetic currents, disrupting natural cues on which many marine species rely. One study from the United Kingdom showed those fields stunted the growth of lobsters and caused deformities, and another showed negative impacts to larval haddock that researchers
claimed could have “population-scale implications.” Windmills create what’s called a “wind wake effect” that interferes with ocean hydrodynamics. The Gulf of Maine has a very complex and ecologically important system of currents that affect primary productivity.
Altering them could have a substantial impact at, and below, the surface. Construction Harm Seismic and sonar testing and surveys disrupt – and are potentially harmful to – fish and marine mammals. When confronted with the recent and unprecedented preponderance of marine mammal deaths and strandings, federal agencies have admitted they do not know the cause or causes, but have unequivocally stated it has nothing to do with offshore wind exploration. That defense seems logically flawed, particularly considering those deaths are occurring in areas of active wind development. Meanwhile, we don’t know how wind turbines might affect migratory birds and bats, including several endangered species. (Saltwater Fishing continued on page 57)
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Solving Those Fly-Fishing Problems Never Ends In his quest to find equipment that will allow him to cast a long line while avoiding tangles at his feet, the author has discovered a new line-holding device that he believes will do the job. As a fly-fishing enthusiast, I’m constantly solving problems associated with this wonderful sport. I’ve been doing this for nearly thirty years, and it doesn’t seem like I’ll ever stop fine-tuning, readjusting, and learning new tricks. That’s one of the reasons I keep coming back to the water to roll that line out and try again to hook those wily fish. Let me also set the record straight – I’m not saying that every time I fish, I have a
problem to solve. Most often, I go out and fish without a single hitch, enjoying every moment on the water. Even if I have a problem, I’m still enjoying my time out there. Like they say, “Even a bad day fishing is better than a good day at work.” Then again, maybe it’s just the way my mind works. I am always looking for a more efficient way of doing things. When I have a problem, it weighs on my mind until I come up with a
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solution. Let me give an example here to explain the process. Line Control Other anglers can relate to this dilemma. When you strip line out, it gets tossed on the deck of the boat, in the rocks and sand at your feet, tangled up in your boots or in the weeds as you wade the shoreline, or pulled down stream on the river. When you start to get a little distance on the cast, you can’t free up the line because it’s all tangled, snagged, or floating downstream. I’ve tried using a stripping basket, but my hand frequently slaps against the rim of the basket, or the line gets tangled in the basket and comes out as a clump of knots. I’ve seen some
This new product helps keep the line in order while fishing. Photo credit: ahrexhooks.com
saltwater boats that offer a stripping area of raised, plastic pieces designed to prevent this tangling effect, but have you seen those fishing shows where the guy is casting from a platform in the bow and gets his feet all tangled in the line? Even if an angler is okay with using a stripping basket and
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finds that it works just fine, at least take a look at this new product, and give it some consideration. It takes the idea of a stripping basket and goes one step further to complete the process of containing the stripped line when fly fishing. Flexistripper I stumbled across this product, the Flexistripper (ahrexhooks. com), while watching some fly-fishing videos online. When I saw a fellow walking through shoreline weeds without catching his stripped line in the floating mess of weeds, I began to really pay attention to how he was doing it. Then I noticed the funny-looking Flexistripper hanging from his belt. (Continued on next page)
������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • November 2023 • 57 (Continued from page 56)
Each time the fellow stripped his line in, he tossed the line across this Flexistripper, as if he was tossing it in a stripping basket. The Flexistripper doesn’t hold the line in a basket, but catches the line with five- or six-inch “tentacles” on a pad that hold the line in place until he casts it out
again. I’ve included a photo that shows what the Flexistripper looks like, but for a clearer idea of how it works, visit the website to view a video of the product in use. This product is going to make casting a lot easier for me. I can’t tell you how many times I have struggled to get a longer cast in fast current. I’d strip the line, throw it at
Saltwater Fishing (Continued from page 55)
Potential Impact on Tuna Through a series of steps that include avoiding traffic separation schemes, areas of importance for national defense and marine sanctuaries, BOEM has reduced their original “call” area (meaning the area with wind potential). However, the remainder still includes one of two primary migration routes for bluefin tuna into and out of the Gulf. Interrupting that path could
my feet in the swift current, and have it take off downstream. Then, when I’d start to lay the line out again, the line in the current would have such a drag on the cast that it didn’t get out there as far as I’d wanted. With this new product at my waist, I can now get ten to twenty extra feet out of a cast if I’m in fast current. I’m also not
stepping on my line in the boat or on the shore, grinding it into sand and gravel. The line also won’t be tangling in the weeds or my boots. I haven’t seen any other companies that make this product, but I’m sure an onslaught of competing commercials is on the way, once folks start seeing how simple this piece of equipment is, and
have serious consequences to the resource and the fishery. Quixotic Quest? In the novel Don Quixote, the title character’s search for truth and justice is motivated by a strong internal vision that he claims allows him to see reality, rather than the illusion of external appearances through human perception and interpretation. He is labeled a madman for defying institutions so taken for granted that they are perceived as harmless windmills, when in
how great it works. Products constantly change and evolve. Think back to when early fly fishers had only braided horsehair and silk materials to use for fly line. They had to lather it up with animal fat to keep it floating. I bet they jumped at the first “modern” floating plastic line that came along … I would have.
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fact they may be threatening and destructive giants. Perhaps those who are now tilting their lances at offshore windmills are involved in a quixotic quest. But don’t they deserve the benefit of the doubt? In a land where one is presumed innocent until proven guilty, what harm is there in slowing down the process until we can learn more, especially when the consequences could be devastating and irreversible?
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~ Trophy Gallery ~
Good Day on the Andro Ryan Leach of Farmingdale enjoyed a productive day in July fly-fishing for smallmouth bass on the Androscoggin River in Durham and Auburn. Photo: Dave Leach
Good Day at the Lake Julie and Kirk Thomas of Freedom, Maine had a great day fishing for landlocked salmon on July 14, 2023 on a large Franklin County lake east of Oquossoc. Each earned a “Catch and Release” Club patch for their efforts. Julie’s salmon weighed 6.5 lbs, and was 27.25”. Kirk’s fish was 6.4 lbs, and 28.25” long. The anglers were fishing with spoons, and within an incredible 90-minute stretch, they caught and released these and several other fish over 5 lbs. www.MaineSportsman.com
58 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Fryeburg Shooting Range Helps Author Prep for Deer Season It was early September, and I knew I had to get going and sight my deer rifles in. I added a new tool to the arsenal this year – a muzzleloader. I had resisted getting in on the black powder craze for a few reasons. First, I knew virtually nothing about them. Second, when deer season closes and if I have not been successful, I didn’t want to sit out in the cold for two more weeks with a gun that only fires once. Finally, opportunity drove my decision to jump on the bandwagon and go inline! I am now hunting primarily on the farm I live on in Cumberland, where local ordinances permit only shotguns and muzzleloaders. While modern slugs and shotguns are capable of greater ranges and accuracy, modern muzzleloaders take the prize. All it took was for me to watch one video on the new Nitro Fire muzzleloader by Traditions to be hooked. This new model uses a single shell that contains primer and powder in one package that resembles a .410 shotgun shell, aptly named firestick by Federal. Simply drive in a bullet (I am using Federal 270 grain all-copper bullets), insert the powder/primer cartridge, and close the breech. Talk about easy! So, once I selected my new muzzleloader, I had to get it www.MaineSportsman.com
The state-owned shooting range in Fryeburg features a 100-yard firing line. The facility is staffed with DIF&W employees, along with volunteer Range Safety Officers, and it’s open 4 or 5 days a week. What a great place to sight in your deer rifle – or, in the author’s case, his new Nitro Fire inline muzzleloader. sighted in. Editor Will Lund suggested I pay a visit to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIF&W) shooting range in Fryeburg. I had never heard of it but was intrigued, so off I went. The staterun shooting range in Fryeburg is located at the Major Gregory Sanborn Wildlife Management Area, and it features a 100-yard firing line – perfect for fine-tuning the old deer rifle. The range is staffed with DIF&W employees, along with volunteer Range Safety Officers, and it’s open 4 or 5 days a week. For specific details, visit the DIF&W website (look for the “Shooting Sports” link under the “Programs and Resources” tab). I took along my young hunting partner, Waleed, as we were both anxious to try the gun. I bore-sighted the muzzleloader so I knew it would get us on paper, and I was pleased with my first shot at 50 yards, being just low and to the right of the bullseye. A few clicks on the scope, and I had it dialed in. Waleed took several shots, and he was as dead-on as I was. Once
Waleed Rabbat of Cumberland receives instruction from DIF&W instructor Craig Gerry at the Fryeburg state-operated shooting range. Photo by Tom Roth
everyone was done with their shooting, “Cease fire” was called by the Range Officer, and all firearms were unloaded and placed on their respective shooting benches. We then re-set our targets to the 100-yard line with equal success. How nice it was to be at a range with shooting benches, a covered firing line, and knowledgeable instructors to ensure safety and help. Waleed wanted to shoot a few hand-
guns, so I brought an assortment. MDIFW Instructor Craig Gerry watched Waleed, and noticed he was shooting low with one of the larger-caliber handguns. Craig offered some tips on proper grip and trigger squeeze, and the student’s shooting improved. Craig and fellow DIF&W Range Coordinator Robert Cordes proudly informed me that the range was soon being upgraded to a state-of-the-art facility with sound mitigation, and that it will include pistol, rifle, trap and archery ranges. The near-$3 million project should soon be underway. I look forward to returning when the improvements have been made. The State manages another public range in Augusta, the Summerhaven Range. These ranges and improvements are funded, in part, by federal monies from the Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937 that utilizes taxes on ammunition, firearms, and archery equipment to fund projects including construction, enhancement, and operations at non-commercial firearm and archery shooting facilities. It’s
a win-win for hunters and shooters, and a fact I bet many of you are unaware of. Deer Season Hunters in the region are excited to start out another season with high antlerless-deer permit allocations. Hunters in this region in Wildlife Management District (WMD) 16, covering portions of Auburn and Turner, received a healthy 6,450 permits, an increase from last year for that zone. Wildlife Management District 21, covering South Auburn all the way down to the Sebago Region and beyond, also saw an increase, with 12,895 permits. It looks like anyone in WMD 21 who applied for permit, got one! Hunters were also able to purchase additional permits that went unclaimed in some districts. Acorns in my area have been literally dropping from the trees after an abundant year. Likewise, apples are pulling the branches down, having benefited from the abundant rain we had. The apple crop is huge. The size of the fruit is reduced, but that does not bother the deer. I plan to concentrate on areas where the feed is, so apple trees and oaks are my go-to spots this month. Good luck to all hunters for a safe and productive season this year!
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Axes Don’t Die Matt and I were cuffing around a cutoff lot checking out the raspberries. It was a summer afternoon, with warm sun, and bees buzzing around … … and there, lying in the bushes, was an old ax. “Hey, what’s that?” Matt said, as he picked up the very weathered but still-intact ax. “All kinds of stuff gets left in the woods,” I replied. “Maybe it fell off a skidder, or they just forgot it.” The handle was grey with age and had long thin cracks in the wood. The head was caked with rust and mud. “Been here a long time,” Matt said. “Yes,” I responded. “Well, it goes to show – axes don’t die.” Matt tossed the old ax in the back of the truck. Later in the fall, he cleaned the ax up, and found it was a Snow & Nealley Hudson Bay model. He wirebrushed the ax head, sanded the handle, and soaked it in linseed oil. He found the capital S and N embossed on the ax head, and the name Snow & Nealley appeared faintly on the handle. Then he filed the blade, taking out a nick and making it sharp again. “Here,” he said one afternoon when he pulled into camp, as he handed me the ax. “It’s for you. Good as new.” Maine Connection And that got me thinking. Axes don’t die. And because of that, my family possesses many of them, some going back three and four generations. After Dad died and we cleaned his house, I found three axes and a hatchet in his garage. At least one of them was from Canada. I knew about Snow & Nealley, because we had lived in Hampden, and the company’s forge was on the banks of the Penobscot River. The Pioneer brand was forged at a shop in Oakland. Axes Were Part of Daily Life With our state’s long history of logging and pulp cutting, Maine had many ax manufacturers to meet the demand of the loggers who were cutting in the deep woods. Axes were such a part of daily life that hardly anyone gave them a second thought. Wherever there was wood to be split or cut or harvested or worked into shape, there were axes – among our
In this ode to a Hudson Bay ax, the author traces the history and traditions of ax ownership and use in Maine, including those forged on the banks of the Penobscot River by the Snow & Nealley company.
mas to his brothers. Those tools are a tangible connection to their grandfather and to their Canadian roots. In the old days, an ax would wear out. Too many times on the grindstone, and the edge was gone. But the local blacksmith knew how to pry open the head and weld in a new piece of steel for the edge. Scientific construction – mild steel in the head to absorb the shock of chopping, and hard steel in the center to take an edge and stay sharp. Handles Most guys made their own handles. The handle for a man’s ax is very particular, and usually customized to the person swinging the ax. Or at least that’s the way it used to be. The handle was shaped just so, with the correct drop and just the right angle for hanging the blade.
This Hudson Bay ax, forged by Maine’s Snow & Nealley Co., was given a new lease on life, and is the most recent addition to the Randall family’s collection of axes and hatchets. Randy Randall photo
most ancient tools. And of course, like most hand tools of old, there were different axes and different blade shapes for different trades and jobs. A broad ax, for example, was used to square up a timber from a round tree. A hatchet might have been used for trimming and nailing cedar roof shingles. Generation to Generation Visit any antique tool store, and you’ll be overwhelmed with the variety of axes on display. Hundreds. Thousands. They were so common. And as I said, they don’t die, but get passed from generation to generation. Matt found a Norlund hatchet in Dad’s collection. He also unearthed one from Mann Ax & Tool. Matt refurbished both hatchets, and gave them at Christ-
The Filer One of the better-paid hands in the old logging camps was the filer. It was his job to keep all the tools sharp and functioning, so there would be no delays when it came to felling pine trees. He often worked deep into the night, filing and grinding a keen edge on the double-bitted axes and crosscut saws so they’d be ready for the next day. These days, farmers, loggers and guides, more than anyone else, still have the need for a good ax. We have several at the camp, and I can remember how we came by each one. “It’s a Nice Ax” This Hudson Bay ax is nicely balanced, and feels good in your hands. We’ll never know who dropped it or left it behind there on the hillside. They probably didn’t even miss it until the next day or even later, and by then there was no way to go back and find it. So there it lay, out of sight and exposed to the weather, until last summer when Matt and I came shuffling along and just happened to see the gray, weathered handle sticking up. It’s a nice ax. As I said at the beginning, axes don’t die. In fact, sometimes they get a second lease on life.
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60 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
How to Gain Access to Prime Deer Hunting Properties in Southern Maine Southern sections of the Pine Tree State have good hunting opportunities; however, this isn’t Kansas or other mid-western states that are full to the brim with deer. Hunting deer in southern Maine can be a complicated affair for new-to-the-area hunters. Our terrain is varied, from coastal marshlands to big woods habitat, and small woodlots to massive forests, in addition to swamps and mountains. You can choose public or private property in Maine. Here in Maine, hunters are allowed to hunt on private property, if that property isn’t posted. Trespass Laws Maine operates under an implied permission structure, meaning if land isn’t posted, then it’s generally legal to hunt that land. Maine also has an unwritten rule, and that is, “Always ask permission before hunting.” It’s a good rule to adhere to, especially in southern parts of the state, where you are always under the watchful eye of landowners. The Wrong Way Here is how to become un-invited, quickly. A long-time friend was asked by a group of out-of-state hunters if they could hunt his land. My friend gave www.MaineSportsman.com
The author offers tips on how to get permission to hunt on private properties, and – once you find a place to hunt – how to scout efficiently and effectively.
Whether you’ve obtained permission to hunt private land, or you’re on public land, November can offer a perfect scenario of tracking snow and rutting bucks. Locating doe feeding areas, and then waiting for a buck to show up, will put antlers on the wall. Photo by Val Marquez
them permission, and instructed them where they should park. Days later, he returned from work, and the hunters had parked in a different spot, blocking access to portions of his property. They are no longer allowed access to his lands. The land that they lost hunting rights on offers some of the best deer numbers in the area. The Right Way This is the way to gain permission to some great hunting opportunities in southern Maine. First, stop at a local coffee shop and purchase a few gift cards. Then, approach a landowner and ask permission to hunt their land. Regardless of their answer, give them a gift
card, thanking them for their time. If you adopt this approach, it won’t take long for you to receive rights to hunt some great deer habitat. During your conversations with landowners, tell them not only that you will not litter, but also that you will pick up any litter that you see on their land. Litter is a major problem in Southern Maine, and it’s the reason many quality hunting grounds are posted. Not all landowners will give permission, For example, some landowners are hunters themselves, and they control hunting for their family and friends. You will not gain access there, so move on. Another thing visiting hunters should
do is download, print off and fill out the “Landowner Courtesy Card” on IF&W’s website. Present the completed card to landowners when you ask permission. This card gives landowners info on you, your truck type, its color and plate number, and your phone number and address. When landowners see your truck parked on their property, they will appreciate knowing who’s in their woods. Scouting – What to Look For Whether you obtain permission to hunt on private land, or you choose to hunt public lands, your next step is to find a good location to hunt. Every property has a “sweet spot” – a place where deer spend
most of their time either feeding or bedded. You need to locate that area, and then set up and ambush deer there. This involves quickly scouting the area. Deer sign is difficult to see in November, because dead leaves cover the trails. Therefore, the fastest way to find deer trails is by following brooks, looking for tracks in the mud or torn-up areas along banks where deer have crossed. Deer generally travel across streams on well-established crossings. In hill country, look for deer trails that run along steep slopes. Much like humans, deer don’t generally travel straight up or down hillsides; rather, they travel at an angle. Deer dig deep trails along these areas that are easy to see – always a good ambush location during the rut, when bucks are cruising and looking for receptive does. Luckily, I live in the small town of Shapleigh. I know many landowners, so I have permission to hunt on a lot of posted lands here. Traveling hunters don’t have this option – they must either knock on doors, or hunt public lands. If you do receive permission to hunt on (Southern Maine continued on page 62)
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Urine Sets Readers’ first reactions upon reading the headline above might be, “WHAT?” However, the fact is that many animals are attracted to the odor of another animal’s urine. Dog-walkers know this principle well, since it’s nearly impossible to get their pet to walk by a telephone pole or hydrant on which other dogs have relieved themselves. Because of its attractant quality, urine plays an important role in trapping various species, especially our state’s wild canines – the coyote, and red and gray fox. Urine would also be attractive to the occasional wolf that wanders across the border, although it is not legal to trap one. Other Furbearers Both wild felines found in Maine – the bobcat, and lynx – are attracted to urine. Feline urine would also attract mountain lions. The weasel family’s urine includes the otter, fisher, marten, mink and the two types of weasels. However, the only species whose urine is frequently used is the mink. Trapping supply dealers sell coyote, fox, bobcat and mink urine, in pint, quart and gallon containers. Many wild canines mark their food cache with urine – a fact
Trapping is all about attracting animals, and a scent that’s very effective is the odor of urine.
A classic trap set using urine is the scent post set. Sketch by the author
passed on to trappers by those who raised the animals. Back in the early 1970s while I was trapping in South Carolina, we had a company in North Carolina that would come down and buy both live foxes and bobcats from us that we had trapped. We used an old chicken shed on my friend’s farm that had two sides to it with a walkway down the middle to keep them separated until they were picked up. Foxes went in one side, and the bobcat in the other. Getting them in
was one thing, but we frequently had a circus getting them out to put in the crates they brought to take them away in. They sold the urine in quantity to businesses that sold trapping supplies. Vintage Urine was Effective When I first trapped in South Carolina, I had an old bottle of Maine fox urine that was about 14 or 15 years old. It had turned dark and cloudy over the years, and no longer had the odor of urine. For some reason, instead of throwing it
away, I decided to try some. I will always remember that trap set – it was a dirt hole set on a rice field banking where I thought foxes might run. The first morning after setting the trap, I had a nice bobcat. Within a week, it took three more bobcats. DYI When we trapped gray fox and bobcat, we always saved the urine for our own use. Extracting urine is easily done when you’ve finished skinning an animal. It may be removed by piercing the bladder with
a hypodermic needle and extracting it, or by removing the bladder and pouring it out of the urethra tube. None was ever as effective as that old red fox urine for bobcats. The area we trapped only had the gray fox; we never caught a red fox there in the Carolina low country. Using Urine Attractant When using urine by itself as a scent attractant, it is best used fresh. It may be used in various types of trap sets. A trap set can have urine used by itself as the attractant, or it may be used in conjunction with a bait or another scent like a gland-based scent. It is lightly sprayed as a mist over a trap set. Some think it’s effective as a cover scent to prevent furbearers from detecting scent left by the trapper. It is also applied beside the hole in a dirt hole set, or on the backing. A classic trap set utilizing urine by itself is the scent post set. This is a trap set near an object on which another animal previously urinated. When using mink urine, it is used fresh and as an attractant. I am not familiar with the use of urine from other members of the weasel family, but who knows what a trapper might try as an ingredient, or it may be one of those secret ingredi(Continued on next page) www.MaineSportsman.com
62 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Trapping (Continued from page 61)
ents used by a commercial producer of scent. Urine is commonly used as an ingredient in the commercial manufacturing of various trapping scents. One
of the more commonly made attractants put together by some individual trappers is to use the ground-up anal glands of a fox, coyote, or bobcat, mixed in
Southern Maine (Continued from page 60)
someone’s land, always follow exactly their rules and instructions. Then scout the area, looking for brooks and hilly country on that property. Study swamps and steep slopes that may funnel deer to you. Then set
with the same animal’s urine. Other ingredients may be added to enhance its effectiveness, such as a touch of beaver castor or skunk essence. Some will use it fresh, while others wait a year or two to let the mixture age.
Some trappers never use urine with a food lure or bait, while others may use only the urine. One thing to remember is that fox, coyote and bobcat will normally check out the odor of one of the others’ urines. Many trap-
up good stand sites downwind, and wait for that Maine buck to walk past. Mainers are Friendly Out-of-state hunters will find that Maine is much friendlier to hunt than other parts of this country – places where you must pay fees, or lease land to hunt. Yes, deer numbers are high
pers use only fox urine for trapping any of the three, because the fox is low man on the totem pole, as they say, and does not present a physical threat to the other two.
¶
there, but you won’t get permission to hunt them, and public lands can be overcrowded and often over-hunted. Maine, on the other hand, is free and friendly for traveling hunters. Landowners will generally let you hunt on their lands, and they won’t hold out their hands looking for money.
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Quotable
Sportsman “You’ve just got to talk to the bass.” Tyler Williams of Belgrade, Maine, on live video as he pulled a big largemouth out of the water on his way to winning the St. Croix Bassmaster Open and more than $40,000 in prize money in September, on Watts Bar Reservoir in Tennessee.
Tyler Williams of Belgrade, Maine. Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.
— “The River is our Relative.” The title of a documentary that illustrates the Penobscot Nation’s kinship connection to, and environmental advocacy for, the Penobscot River. In 2019, the Penobscot tribe “enrolled” the river as a member of the Penobscot Nation. — “We couldn’t catch a break this summer. As soon as we fixed one trail and got that back up and running, then we’d have another rainstorm. And another www.MaineSportsman.com
by Will Lund
trail would have big, huge washouts and mud holes. Now, we do want some mud – we want people to have fun, but not that much fun.” Sandi Isgro, vice president of the Flagstaff Area ATV Club, lamenting on this summer’s challenging weather. Maine Monitor, September 9. — “Channel the ‘Smokey Within,’ and Help Prevent Wildfires.” Headline on press release touting new public service announcements from the US Forest Service, featuring an updated Smokey Bear. For more than 80 years, the animated mammal, whose character is based on the true story of a bear cub that survived a Western fire, has been used to educate the public on how to prevent human-caused wildfires. “To give Smokey a more lifelike look [in the new videos],” revealed the USFS, “we rebuilt his costume from scratch. By using animatronics to move his mouth and eyes, we gave true emotions to America’s favorite bear.” — “Under a straightforward reading of this new constitutional amend-
ment, Maine’s statutory ban on Sunday hunting is unconstitutional as applied to those who hunt for food.” Pamela Lee, attorney for Virginia and Joel Parker, who are challenging the state’s ban on Sunday hunting. The plaintiffs argued their appeal of a lower court’s ruling to the Maine’s Supreme Judicial Court on October 4, based on Maine’s new “right to food” constitutional provision. A ruling is expected in two months. Source: Spectrum News/Susan Cover — “Inland Fisheries and Game to Form ‘Biggest Bucks in Maine Club’.” News item from September 7, 1949, in the now-defunct Portland Evening Express. In the early 1970s, the Biggest Bucks program was transferred to the then-fledgling publication, The Maine Sportsman, along with the One That Didn’t Get Away Club. The program has now been expanded to encompass a Youth Deer Patch Club, Trappers Club, Catch-and-Release Fish Club, Saltwater Anglers Patch Club, and five additional hunting and fishing categories; see www.MaineSportsman.com/patch-clubs
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Deer Hunter’s Checklist for the Rifle Season Each year, I look forward to the deer season with a great deal of anticipation. Sometimes, I think the preparation and planning stage is nearly as much fun as the actual hunting itself. In years past, I have always made sure my rifle was “tuned-in” to whatever ammunition I was going to use for the new season. I have always reloaded my own hunting rounds, and this process included plenty of range work. I liked trying different loads, new powders, and various combinations, to come up with what I considered to be the perfect selection for the pending hunt. I also like to scout new territory during bird season, looking for where the big buck might be hanging out during the pre-rut. I look over maps of new territory, and cover the ground on foot with my bird dogs. After scouting the month of October, I’ve usually decided on sever-
The author enjoys preparing and checking over his deer-hunting gear, almost as much as the hunt itself. And bird hunting in October plays a big part in his November deer hunting plans, since he can scout; he can try out his boots, compass and other gear; and he can start to get himself into physical shape to drag out that big November buck. al prime locations for deer hunting the following month. The woods really changes from one year to the next, so a scouting trip definitely makes a difference. I have seen deer all over one location one year, and the next year it was just like they completely picked up and left for another location miles away. Finding where the deer are located before the opening day is THE most important part of preparing for deer season. Get the map out and start the search early to locate several good-looking areas for the upcoming season. Gear Check I always like to pull out all my deer
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hunting gear and lay it out on the floor, just to get a physical feel for making sure everything is ready for action. I make sure nothing is broken or missing, and then set it in one location so it’s ready to go on opening morning. I don’t want to have to think about my gear at all the night before. I wash the clothes I’m going to be wearing in scent-free soap, and hang them outside on
the back porch. Then I fill a small backpack with all the items I feel are necessary to carry during the hunt. I always have a fire-starting kit that includes waterproof matches, a Bic lighter, and a film canister filled with petroleum-soaked cotton balls. I put these items in a plastic bag, along with a space blanket and a water-purifying straw for safely drinking out of any water
source I might find while hunting. I also never go into the woods without carrying a couple of light sources – a head lamp, and a hand-held flashlight, with an extra set of batteries for each unit. There’s nothing like having good light when walking out of the woods in the dark. Another item I like to have with me, a silicone-treated nylon tarp, doesn’t weigh more than a couple of ounces, but it offers me much confidence if an overnight stay in the woods becomes necessary. I can easily erect a rain-proof shelter with this tarp and a handful of 550 paracord. (Continued on next page)
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Rangeley Region (Continued from page 63)
The Obvious A lot of preparations are kind of obvious, but often get overlooked … like making sure to sharpen your hunting knife, or getting your leather boots treated with a good dressing. I’m just as guilty as anyone else, and often find myself up the night before, taking care of last-minute chores. I have found over the years that the best way for me to avoid missing something is to make a list on a piece of paper, of all the things I need to have or do for the deer
season. I post the list in an obvious place up on the wall, and check off items during my pre-season preparations. At the top of the list is a statement that reads: “If you are not hunting on a particular day, get off the couch and take the dogs for a good walk, to get in shape for deer season.” Don’t let dragging out that big buck be your test of physical conditioning … get out in the woods frequently, well before opening day, to make sure you are in good physical
Prepare for success by planning ahead. Get on top of the hunt before opening day. Photo by William Clunie
shape. While bird hunting the month before deer season, I have often found problems that would have grounded me during the deer season in November. I had a compass that went weird on me
once and had to be replaced. Another time, my favorite boots came apart at the sole (I guess I just didn’t want to give them up). Plan ahead for success – visualize aiming at the big buck and dropping it, to get
mentally prepared. You have waited all year for this season to finally arrive. Don’t let anything get overlooked and ruin your hunt this November.
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Get the Sharpest Edge on Your Knife To determine the sharpness of the blade, the author’s father would put the edge of the knife to his thumbnail at a 45-degree angle, to see if the blade was sharp enough to catch on the nail. I remember my old high school woodshop teacher, Mr. Martin, telling us students, “It’s not the sharp blade that cuts you; it’s the dull blade, because you will have to force it to make it cut, and that’s when accidents happen.” Those words have stuck in my head all these years, since they remain true to this day.
So, with that understanding, let’s see how we can get the sharpest edge on a knife. I’ve worked on sharpening my knives for many years and tried several methods – some of these methods have worked great, others take more effort than they should, while still others have completely failed. When I got my first pocketknife as a young
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Visually inspect a blade edge with a magnifying glass for imperfections. Photo by William Clunie
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66 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Relax – It’s Just a Number!
The Unhealthy Obsession with 200-Pound Deer Last November, I was blessed with a beautiful 8-point buck. Late in the season, he dressed out at 198 pounds. That doesn’t matter. Bad News? The first one to say it was the guy running the hoist scale at the check station. “Oh man, that sucks!” he exclaimed. “I’m sorry!” He actually never even announced the weight out loud. Instead, he gestured for me to come over to the screen and look for myself, so he didn’t have to utter those awful numbers. Then he let the moment linger. I don’t remember if it was something he said or a look he gave me, or a gesture he made, but I got the feeling that if I wanted him to, he’d “try again” or perhaps just “round up” on his recording card.
learned their deer were just shy of earning the coveted patch.
Last season, the author tagged a 198-lb. buck, giving rise to all sorts of reactions from other hunters and observers. Most such reactions, says the author, made it clear that the speakers did not understand what’s important in deer hunting.
In what world is this buck a disappointment? A world, argues the author, in which hunters wrongly let stats and recognition define their sense of success. Photos by the author
But instead, I exclaimed, “198! Wow, that’s great! I couldn’t be happier!” The guy running the scale looked both relieved and confused. I reas-
sured him with, “Honestly, I really don’t care that it didn’t weigh 200 pounds.” In that moment, I was living on top of the mountain, and
I thought there was nothing that could knock me off of it. But then he told me that other hunters had reacted with anger and rage when they
Continuous Comments He was the first to say it, but he certainly wasn’t the only one. About 90 percent of the people who have asked me the deer’s weight have expressed to me some form of condolence, disappointment, or frustration on my behalf. These are good people, and their reactions were in good nature. But I don’t agree with the sentiment. Among the common responses were assertions that if the particular commenter had been in my boots, he would have “left the nut sack on” or left the heart and lungs in. Or given the guy at the scale $10 to round up. Or taken it to a different check station. (Continued on next page)
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Or just plain lied and told people it was 200 pounds. And so on. Causes and Solutions Hunting media and big bucks clubs have had unintended consequences in the form of questionable social trends. To gain respect or praise or recognition, some hunters have established their priorities in the wrong places. For many, the ends have come to justify the means. The unfortunate truth is, many people do, in fact, try to manipulate the weights of their deer by doing all the aforementioned practices – and worse ones, too. Twenty years ago, hunters from our deer
camp caught a new invitee filling the chest cavity of his big buck with water to freeze overnight before he brought it to the weigh station the next day. He didn’t get invited back to camp. Let’s follow this example. It’s time we start policing our own, and shaming that kind of behavior. Check stations should refuse to weigh deer that have the heart and lungs – and any other organs – still intact. And if we hear someone express dismay at the size of an animal that was harvested, we need to remind them what hunting is truly about. Respect and Reflection The idea that an arbitrary number defines what constitutes
Western Maine (Continued from page 65)
leather strop to take the burr off the edge that was formed by the stones during the sharpening process. If we already had a good edge on the knife and just wanted to “touch it up” after we had used it a little, we would just use the fine stone and the strop. Moving On Up My father’s method still works today, if the knife blade is held at the correct angle to the stone (about 20 degrees). I bought a Lansky (lansky.com) sharpening system that fixes the blade permanently at that angle during the sharpening process. The Lansky system works great, because the angle remains constant. The same can be done by hand, but it just takes some time to learn to hold the blade at that angle consistently with each stroke. A lot of folks make the mistake of working on only one side for several strokes, and then flipping the blade to the other side for several strokes. However, that isn’t the best way to do it. Flip the blade to the opposite side for each stroke on the stone for the best results … especially as you progressively work the blade on to the finer-grade stones. I like finishing a blade on crossed
The author encourages the view that the number on the scale doesn’t matter. What matters instead is the experience of the hunt and the appreciation of the animal.
a “good” or “big” buck has become ingrained into the minds of hunters, admittedly, myself included. But we need to reexamine this obsession. That doesn’t mean an individual hunter can’t value pounds or inches, or decide he doesn’t want
to target deer that don’t meet a particular self-imposed threshold involving those attributes. But to think less of a deer that has been killed because of the lack of those attributes is both disrespectful to the hunter and – more important – to the deer. We owe it to the deer to cleanly dress it; that means everything from the esophagus to the anus comes out, including loose fat, blood clots, and membranes. And we owe it to the deer to be genuinely satisfied, regardless of its size. And to be exuberant about its beauty and thankful for its sustenance. Once the deed is done, you can’t take that bullet or arrow back, and to express
ceramic sticks that hone the edge on both sides at once. I have a set that I use to touch up blades after minor use, such as light skinning, gutting, or slicing meat. If I’ve been cutting around bones, joints, and hair, I do a little more extensive sharpening with the more coarsely-graded stones. Mechanical Assistance At this point, a lot of folks will start asking, “What about that new electric sharpener I saw on the television commercial the other day?” Yes, there are some advantages to using an electric sharpener, but be careful – too much grinding in one spot on the edge can cause excessive heat, ruining the temper of a good blade. My suggestion is to sweep the blade along the grinding surface of the electric sharpener at the same speed you would employ when pulling a blade along the surface of a ceramic stick. Don’t ever let the blade sit in one spot … keep it moving, or risk compromising the blade. I’ve used two different brands of electric sharpeners, and I’ve found that they both work for the initial process of creating or reestablishing the rough shaping of the edge to 20 degrees. For the finer sharpening and final honing, I prefer a fine stone, ceramic sticks, and
any form of disappointment in the innate qualities of the animal is, in my view, misguided. What makes the deer a “good one” is the fact that you got it, and the fact that you have a hunt to reminisce on, a story to share, and food to feed your family. That 198-pound deer was a good one. So was the 115-pound 4-pointer I shot the year before with my grandfather’s rifle. And so was every other deer I’ve made the permanent decision to end the life of. Their weights and racks should not quell, even in the slightest, the exhilaration and gratitude of their garnering.
¶
a final stropping on the leather. Checking Your Progress To determine the sharpness of the blade, my father would put the edge of the knife to his thumbnail at a 45-degree angle and see if the blade was sharp enough to catch on the nail. If the edge slid across smoothly without catching, he would have me continue honing. If the edge caught the nail, it was sharp enough. Another good way to test sharpness is to try to slice a ripe tomato. When doing this test, gently “saw” the blade across a tomato to see if it will cut through the skin without smashing it. A dull blade will crush the tomato, while a sharp blade will easily slice the tomato without any pressure on the knife. In the woods, test the blade on some course grass or weed stalks. The blade should easily slice through the stalks without crushing them. A dull blade will mash the stalks, instead of evenly cutting them. One last note … use a good sharpening solution during the process, to help float away debris and keep the metal cool. Then, when you get that perfectly-sharpened edge, use a good oil to protect the blade from corrosion.
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68 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
A Tracking Story Author’s note: A version of this story appeared in my book, Bucks That Got Away, and with November upon us, I thought it was a good one to re-live. Days like the one described here can happen any time there is snow for tracking, but this happened to be a late-season buck. ***** Driving the roads in the dark on a morning when the temperature couldn’t have been above ten degrees, I was able to check a couple of different buck tracks. An hour later, with daylight fast approaching and nothing new on the radar, I decided to head back to the earliest track I had found. The buck track, headed downhill, was the older of two tracks. I went into the woods and was able to tease things apart, noticing where the buck I wanted had fed and bedded through the night. As I was following the loops and circles he had made, I heard a deer take off from nearby. In the past I have screwed up by immediately chasing a deer I had jumped. This time, I stayed calm and kept quiet, continuing to sort it all out. I eventually saw tine marks in the snow where the buck fed on a stump, and then I saw a good-sized bed, giving me an idea of what I was after. With the buck’s wanderings unraveled, I now had him jumped up and moving solo. The chase was on. I followed him across a couple of hardwood ridges. He winded or saw me at least twice, each time starting to run after he had gone back to walking. I resisted the urge to pick up the pace. It was early, and I had all day. Instead, I stayed slow and steady on the track, scanning for him. Because it was late in the season, I knew he was unlikely to go on an eight-mile cruise for does. Catching Up He went up a good hill and down the other side; he was feeding again on raspberry whips and mushrooms. I spotted a softwood swamp ahead of me, so I really shifted down into low gear. He crossed a big bog, and encountered two deer tracks that he followed briefly, and left. Then he encountered a third set, which he treated with the same disinterest. I snuck through a thin patch of softwww.MaineSportsman.com
I finally spotted a deer lying on the far edge of the bog, about 50 yards away. I snapped up the muzzleloader and peered through the scope. The deer sensed my presence, and turned its head. I saw antlers move. I knew it was the buck I’d been tracking for three hours.
The author, with the Vermont buck he tracked down on a late season hunt.
wood, but there was no sign of the buck bedded where I expected he would be. I followed his tracks out into another little bog opening, and across a brook. I looked around intently, taking one step at a time. I finally spotted a deer lying on the far edge of the bog, about 50 yards away. I snapped up the muzzleloader, and peered through the scope. At 2x, I couldn’t tell if it was a buck or doe through the dense cover. I spun the zoom to 7x, and I had to peek and move a little to try to get a good look. With my heart pounding loudly in my ears, I was afraid the deer would take off before I
could confirm it was the buck I was after. It seemed the deer sensed my presence, and it started to get its feet under it. As it turned its head, I saw antlers move. I knew it was the buck I’d been tracking for three hours. Boom! Off he went. I snuck up to his bed, and found some hair. After about 100 yards of tracking, I came to where he fell on one side and then the other and stood back up, leaving a little blood on the ground. As I was staring at the marks in the snow, he took off from nearby. He seemed to have a hard time going. He disappeared over a hummock before I could shoot, so I stayed after him. Putting the Pressure On He took off from the edge of a beaver pond, and I fired a shot through the small hardwood trees. Another reload, and off I went. After he crossed the upstream side of the pond, the buck headed into some more open hardwoods, and I managed to spy him bedded about 100 yards away. Using a tree for support, I shot, and he took off again. I decided to stick tight to his track and put the pressure on. I crested over the ridge, and he jumped up at 15 yards from behind a blowdown. I pulled up and squeezed the trigger – click! I had forgotten to put on a new primer! He headed downhill, going slowly, so I hurried along as I put a primer on. Within a minute, I jumped him up again at super-close range and snapped a shot off. Finally, he went down. I took a few moments to immerse myself in the sensations of the hunter’s paradox – the combination of sadness and elation that come together after chasing and killing an animal you deeply respect and revere. I dressed him off and began dragging him toward the road. I knew those steps were the final payments for whatever debt I incurred for this buck. I tried to recall all the miles and moments it took to get to that point, knowing how lucky I was to be blessed with this buck. After a couple of hours of dragging, I finally got close to the road. I tucked the buck in the bushes, and trotted off to get my truck.
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Deer Hunting Without the Price Tag Deer hunting is, by its nature, a pretty expensive sport. Traveling to prime hunting grounds is pricey, licenses aren’t cheap, and some fancy, specialized gear may cost you an arm and a leg. Although there are a few necessities – like a gun and a license – deer hunting can be made much less expensive, which is perfect for a cheapskate like me. Some Fixed Expenses First of all, you’ll incur a few non-negotiable expenses in order to get out into the deer woods. You’ll need your Maine Big Game hunting license. According to Maine IFW, they’re $26 this year for residents. You’ll need to also complete Hunter’s Ed, if you haven’t already. That course, which has an online or traditional option, is very valuable in learning not only safety, but also some techniques. Beyond that, you’ll need a few tools. For beginner hunters, your deer rifle doesn’t have to be anything
It’s not necessary to spend a bunch of dough to get your buck. The deer won’t know (or care) whether you are sitting in an expensive specially-designed hunting chair, or a regular folding chair. Stay warm and stay safe, but don’t feel you need to break the bank in order to equip yourself to hunt whitetails. fancy. I shot my first with a 30-30 Marlin that I had borrowed from a family friend. Since then, I’ve hunted with an oldschool Remington 740, which was my grandfather’s. I know there’s a saying among seasoned outdoorsmen, “The WInchester Model 94 in 30-30 has killed more deer in the Maine woods than all the other calibers combined,” uttered in a thick Maine accent, most likely. I won’t say what you should or shouldn’t obtain for a gun, but don’t think you need to spend $500 or more on a gun alone to get out there, because you don’t. Keep a sharp eye out when you visit trading posts and places that sell used firearms … this is probably the best way to get a deal.
Ammo In terms of ammo, it’s best not to get too crazy with fancy names. You may have your favorite, but I’ve always shot Remington Core-Lokt, just like my dad, and his dad before him. It’s cheap to buy, reliable, and – most important – you can get it anywhere. Whether at a big store in Southern Maine, a trading post in the Allagash, or a convenience store in western Maine, CoreLokt is a staple of the ammo department. Whatever ammo you use (other quality slugs include Hornady Interlock, Winchester Power-Point, and Federal Power-Shok), it’s important in my opinion that the ammo be 1) reasonably-priced; and 2) readily available.
Remington Cor-Lokt rounds – a Raymond family favorite. Photos by Nolan Raymond
Hunting Gear There are a lot of ways to hunt deer in Maine. Some choose to take a stand, and others to still-hunt, while still others track. Some combine the three – walking a ways, slowly and carefully; following a fresh track, if one is spotted; then sitting a while; and repeating. Although a big deer blind or a tree stand can improve comfort and convenience, you can get by without spending a ton on gadgets. Let’s start with clothing – it’s worth investing in a decent hunter-orange coat, orange hats for cold and warm weather, and a warm pair of boots. Beyond that, you can get pretty creative with tools. I’ve made blinds from brush, and you can also use natu-
ral structure like uprooted trees for cover. Seats are available for sale that snap onto five-gallon buckets, and that’s pretty convenient – you can put some essentials inside, and carry the bucket and its contents into your spot. A specially-designed hunting tripod chair is compact, but it’s expensive, and it’s not the most comfortable and stable seating arrangement. If you don’t mind lugging in a heavier chair, a regular, inexpensive folding chair will do just fine. Keep an eye on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and Uncle Henry’s, as well as garage sales. You can often find some good gear at a much better price-point than new. As you hunt more, you’ll definitely find that it’s worth investing in some nice equipment, but that’s not to say that you have to spend a lot to get out in the woods and enjoy some time deer hunting.
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A nice deer the columnist shot last fall by simply sitting on a field edge. www.MaineSportsman.com
70 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
Smilin’ Sportsman “What’re you catching fish with?” the Mainer asked the snooty English professor who was fly-fishing for trout. Lifting his nose into the air, the professor replied, “Fish with? I’m sorry – I don’t answer questions from people who end their sentences with a preposition.” The Mainer thought a minute, and tried again: “What’re you catching fish with, Dipwad?” — “Are you the brave young man who risked his life and saved my son from drowning when he broke through the ice?” “Yes, Ma’am!” “Well, what did you do with his mittens?” — It really makes me mad when I hear idiots saying that women belong in the kitchen. Such nonsense! I mean, who would clean the rest of the house? — Husband: “What do you like most about me – my chiseled body, or my handsome face?” Wife: “Your sense of humor.” — Husband: “If I died, would you marry again?” Wife: “Oh darling, of course not! I’d go live with my sister. And if I died, would you remarry?” Husband: No, of course not! I’d go live with your sister.” — “Hey, try one of these smart pills.” “Yuk! They taste like rabbit poop!” “See how well they work? You’re getting smarter already!”
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www.MaineSportsman.com
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Attack of the Rodents Our columnist confronts an annual invasion of unwanted pests. There was a big hole in the crawl space under my house. According to the exterminator I hired, it was made by a rat. Or possibly a politician. Either way, it was a problem. I was stunned by this discovery. I don’t live in the trash-strewn boundaries of a city, surrounded by middle school students, porch pirates and mimes. I live in the unsullied (except for the occasional windmill, solar-power project and electrical transmission line) mountains of western Maine. We have mice. We have squirrels. We have ski bums. That seems like more than enough pests. But the exterminator insisted the hole was the work of a rat. “We find them everywhere,” he said. “Nobody told them they couldn’t live in the country.” “OK,” I said. “Bring on the cluster bombs.” As it turns out, that’s not the legally preferred method of disposing of rats. Rat Gone? Instead, the exterminator set out a variety of traps, some humane and others that looked as if they might invite unwanted scrutiny from Amnesty International. None of them caught the rat. That’s because the rodent suddenly vanished. The big hole was no longer there. It was as if the creature had wiped out the evidence of its existence by using federal infrastructure funds. (Maybe it was a politician, after all.) Next Rodent Up Problem solved? Not exactly. Apparently, Team Household Invader had merely traded the rat for a number of prospects in the form of a family of flying squirrels. All night long, these charming little boogers launched themselves from the eaves around my bedroom on flights to collect intelligence about exterminators and to pick up some groceries for their growing families. Emphasis on growing. I again called the exterminator. “Bring over some surface-to-air missiles,” I said.
erty than a politician. Was it time for automatic weapons? Drone strikes? Johnny Depp clones?
The exterminator said he was required by his professional code of ethics to initially try other, less explosive methods. Lots of Flying Squirrels The first night the live-capture traps were in place, one flying squirrel got caught. The next night, there were four of them. The third round yielded 11. In all, it turned out I had been sharing my living quarters with more than two dozen flying squirrels. It was almost as crowded as the apartment I lived in during college. But my house still smells better than that place, because one of my old roommates from those days was a duck. (It’s a long story.) Since the discovery of these rodent invaders, I’ve sealed cracks in the eaves and closed up small openings in the foundation. But I know that with the arrival of chilly weather, a host of furry pests will once again be assaulting my domicile. Pests on Notice I’ve tried “No Trespassing” signs. They didn’t work. I upgraded to stickers that read, “This house is protected by guard dogs.” No luck, possibly because my dogs demonstrate almost no inclination to guard anything. In desperation, I posted a notice claiming, “The owner is heavily armed and in a bad mood.” It didn’t stop the pitter-patter of squirrelly little feet. These beasts have less respect for private prop-
Bring Back the Foxes In years past, such drastic actions wouldn’t even have been considered. In those days, a family of foxes lived across the road, and frequently visited my property to snack on whatever was on special in the rodent department. This drove my dogs crazy (although the dogs never seemed too bothered by that rat), but given their normal mental state, crazy wasn’t all that much of a drive. And the foxes kept the population of potential home invaders under control using methods deemed acceptable by environmental regulators. Perhaps a bit too much under control. With fewer mice and squirrels around, the foxes dealt with this supply-chain issue by moving to happier hunting grounds. Soon thereafter, the number of rodent residents rebounded. I offered other foxes top dollar to relocate, but got no takers. They all wanted paid vacations, health insurance, parental leave and a generous retirement plan. Curse this economy. Get Up and Boogie Fortunately, my sainted exterminator had found a new, less expensive weapon. He installed flashing lights in the crawl space and the eaves, giving both locations the ambience of bad ’80s discos, minus the awful music and worse cocktails. At night, it lends my house a creepy Stephen King-like quality, but it has also repulsed the rodents, who have a well-known lack of tolerance for retro trends. The only downside so far has been the occasional appearance in my front yard of flash mobs dancing along to “Y.M.C.A.” Rats. Al Diamon writes the monthly column Politics & Other Mistakes for The Bollard magazine.
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www.MaineSportsman.com
72 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
— TRADING POST — • Subscribers may place one free 20-word • The regular rates are $15 for up to 20 line classified ad per month (2-month limit) words and 50¢ for each additional word • Items for sale must include a price • Check, money order, MasterCard or VISA (Credit or Debit) are accepted • Real estate ads must include an address or location
• You may submit your ads by: Phone: 207-357-2702 E-mail: classifieds@mainesportsman.com Mail: 183 State Street, Suite 101 Augusta ME 04330
SUBMIT AD AND PAYMENT BY THE 30TH OF EACH MONTH AND YOUR AD WILL APPEAR IN THE NEXT ISSUE.
BOATS
20 FT. SQUARE-END WOOD CANOE TWO MAD RIVER Johnson 6HP moCANOES FOR SALE tor an d trailer. Very (1) 16.5 ft. Kevlar Mafine condition. Asking lecite, like new, 5-6 h $1,500. Hebron ME. ours flat water time. Call “Bunky” Hall 207$2,500. (1 ) 16.5 ft. TW 966-2663. Special Fiberglass. OLD TOWN PACK Excellent condition. MODEL Tubbs of VTwood trim. $2,000. Call 781-235- One Person Canoe, 11 feet 6 inches long. Per4616. fect condition- $600. HARD TO FIND Call 505-328-4662. GRUMMAN – 15 ft Square Stern Sport CAMPS Canoe, like new condiFOR RENT tion. With trailer$1600, without trailer $1200. CAMP RENTAL Call 802-363-6003. IN SOLON, ME Deer and Bow hunts.
Small game hunting. DOGS Fishing. Camp sleeps AKC BRITTANY 4-6. Full amenities, PUPS Wifi. $1000plus taxfor Hunting and fami7 days, Sunday to Satly Pets. OFA cleared. urday. 207-399-1317. Ready in November. www.buckspointsportCall 207-345-3258. inglodge.com. QUAIL HOLLOW KENNELS: SPORTING CAMPS BRITTANYS FOR RENT FOR Simply the best perHUNTING, FISHsonal shooting dogs ING, ATV and family pets. PupSLEDDING, pies and started dogs. FAMILIES Ashland, Medford, Ar- Woodcock training Nogyle, Lagrange. Ample vember through March. parking. Off Grid $400/ Forty years of excelweek. Modern $700/ lence. Call after sunset 856-935-3459. week. 207-745-1725. – –
MISC LINE-CLASSIFIED AD DISCOUNT Place a 20 word TEXT AD for a boat, rod, bow, car, truck or truck cap, firearm, ammo, or other personal item at $10/month. Offer good through DEC. 31, 2023. Mail ad to our office or email ads@mainesportsman.com –
WANTED SKI DOO, ELAN OR TUNDRA Any Condition. Have cash. Will travel. Call or text 207-522-6940.
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• Remote Waterfront Cabins • Spednic Lake – Vanceboro, ME – MLS #1564070 3.25 acre lot with 687 feet of frontage on Spednic Lake featuring 4 cabins. Unwind and re-connect with your own piece of Maine’s remote wilderness.
Beth A. Johnson
Todd Bassett
Sales Associate
c: 207-214-4696 o: 207-942-8261 tandb.realtyteam@gmail.com www.bhhsnere.com
www.MaineSportsman.com
Associate Broker
160 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401
c: 207-214-3411 o: 207-942-8261 tgbassett@yahoo.com www.bhhsnere.com
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— ANGLERS TAKE NOTICE! —
Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of the Rapid River, one of the premier native trout and salmon fisheries in the Northeast!
Andover – This one-of-a-kind property is located on the banks of the Rapid about 200 yards from the north end of Pond in the River, giving the owner immediate access to the section of the Rapid from Middle Dam to Pond in the River. This camp is unique in many ways – it’s the only dwelling on the upper river, surrounded by conservation land, and renovated to provide the luxury you seek in the seclusion you desire. The camp is NOT on leased land allowing the landowner to do as they please. Accessed by boat/float plane, on foot, or snowmobile, one must truly unplug when visiting this magical spot. Cabin has two first floor bedrooms, kitchen, living/dining room and two sleeping lofts. Solar panels provide electricity with a generator backup, and propane on -demand hot water with outdoor shower and pristine outdoor privy. Oversized shed provides tons of storage space. This camp comes fully equipped ready for your fishing and entertaining pleasure. In addition to the two first floor bedrooms there are 3 full-size mattresses and 1 twin size mattress in the attic with new linens and blankets. Inside lighting is a combination of electric and gas lighting. There is a large gas refrigerator and freezer as well as a gas stove inside. Your private dock is a great place to fish, lie in the sun, or tie up your boats. The camp comes with three aluminum boats and two 5-hp motors, along with 4 kayaks and a canoe. The shed has all of the tools, supplies, and equipment you could want. The gorgeous patio has a small outdoor kitchen to compliment the large kitchen in the camp - and comes with a Breoo Firepit with all the accessories you could want to cook outside. Enjoy watching the sunset behind the area mountains and listen to the bird’s call. Watch the eagles fish and moose feed without leaving your porch. MLS #1568060 – $599,000
Sally Harkins, Broker/Owner 111 Skiway Road, Newry, ME • Office (207) 824-1068 • Cell (207) 807-0732 sally@sundayriverhomes.com • www.SundayRiverHomes.com
~ Trophy Gallery ~
Chuck Klein of Grafton, Ohio bagged this big bruin on August 28, 2023 in the town of Forsythe. Chuck used a .308. The bear was certified at Bishop’s Store in Jackman. Chuck was excited about the trophy, and also about The Maine Sportsman (“Your magazine is fantastic!’ he wrote. “Keep up the good work!”).
Tucker Brown of Somerville, ME was 14 years old when he earned his “Biggest Bucks in Maine” patch on November 12, 2022 by bagging this 201.6-lb., 9-point buck with a .270. The trophy was certified at Four Corner Variety, in Union. Nice job, Tucker!
Maine Sportsman reader Brody Miller, age 11, of Brunswick, got the 2023 black bear season off to a great start when he harvested this 224.8-lb. sow in T4R9 on September 2. Brody was supervised by Josh Miller. The big bear was registered at C & J Variety, in Milo. Congratulations, Brody (and Josh)! www.MaineSportsman.com
74 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
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SAVE THE DATE for the 42nd Annual
State of Maine Sportsman’s Show! APRIL 19–21, 2024 Augusta Civic Center – Augusta, ME Stay tuned to the State of Maine Sportsman’s Show Facebook page and website for updates!
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★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★★ ★ ★ The Genuine. The Original. Serving the Bangor Area Since 1948
Residential & Commercial Garage Doors & Openers Sales, Service & Repairs
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(207) 848-2866
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724 Old Kingsbury Road, Brighton PLT, ME 04912
Lot 23 Turner Ridge Road, Palermo, ME 04354
The camp has gravity fed, spring water, a shower and solar panels with new batteries. A large open area to the south offers an opportunity to get a TV signal from satellite. The close proximity to the ITS trail allows for riders to travel all over the state right from their property. This camp could be rented out to other riders or friends who love to ride. A dream camp for hunters! This property has a 3.5 acre field, located in the side yard, that boasts over a dozen, mature apple trees. MLS #1569098 • $199,500
A rare opportunity to own a large, undeveloped piece of land on one of the mid-coast’s premier, cold water lakes! Including 200’ of waterfront, there’s opportunity to build a private lake front home with a large wooded lot. With plenty of road frontage on Turner Ridge Road and along Stevens Shore Road, many house lots could be developed in a wooded and private setting away from the lake. The property boasts large numbers of mature trees and is frequented by deer, turkeys, squirrels and more. Must be seen to be appreciated! MLS #1571343 • $549,000
Joe Saltalamachia, Realtor 143 Silver Street, Waterville, ME (207) 692-6481 • (207) 660-4012 jsalty@cbplourde.com • www.cbplourde.com Discover the versatility and convenience of Northeastern’s Camp and Cabin kits. Perfect for vacation homes or retirement retreats, these log cabin kits are easy to build and very affordable. They feature simple, open designs and come complete with pre-cut Eastern White Pine Logs, insulated doors, windows, rafters, roof sheathing and subflooring, plus step-by-step instructions.
Just imagine relaxing in your very own Northeastern log retreat!
LINNEUS – This cozy cabin built in 2003 sits on 54.5 private acres. Additional sleeping quarters in a separate bunkhouse built in 2018. Off-grid living operated by a generator, drilled well with an outside shower setup, compost toilet, propane fridge and stove, and a wood stove in each structure! Hop on your ATV and bring your fishing pole to nearby Beaver Brook or take a walk and appreciate seeing Maine’s beautiful wildlife. MLS: 1571435 – $83,500 MILO – Well-maintained 2-3 bedroom, 1 bath New England cape cod home with room to expand. Home sits on 30 wooded acres. Several opportunities for building, developing, and/or retaining it for the sportsman’s dream! Selective harvesting is currently in the works. Sellers are offering $3,000 credited in closing costs towards new flooring! Recent updates include a metal roof, vinyl siding, insulation, windows, paint, plumbing, electrical, and more! MLS: 1557271 – $299,900 BELGRADE – Well-loved 2-3 bedroom, 1 bath gambrel home on 8.7 wooded acres with 1000’ private frontage on Great Pond. Screened porch plus an extended dock to launch a boat. First floor boasts additional living space prepped for an in-law apartment – seller offering $5,000 credit towards finishing the in-law apartment. Newly built 28x56 garage with room above. Several outbuildings for storage and stand-by generator, plus a sauna room! MLS#1566446 – $699,000
Lindsey Brann Associate Broker, REALTOR®
Integrity Homes Real Estate Group 4 Beach Road, Monmouth, ME cell 207-441-9317 | office 207-933-8042 lindsey@integrityhomesregroup.com www.integrityhomesrealestategroup.com
Norridgewock – Surveyed 4.8 acres on a paved, public road. Power is available at the road. A perfect location for your home! MLS #1574056 – $40,000 NORRIDGEWOCK Surveyed 4.8 acres on a paved, public road. Power is available at the road. This is a perfect location to build your home! MLS #1574056 – $40,000 SKOWHEGAN – Offering 40 acres of prime Central Maine woodland. This property has something for everyone. This is the perfect location to build your dream home or your vacation getaway. Here you can enjoy the solitude of the country life, yet this lot is only 10 minutes from downtown Skowhegan. This lot has a nice interior driveway already in place. There are tall stands of mature pine and multiple year classes of hardwood. The lot was selectively harvested recently, but nice hardwood stands of maple and oak are well-established. There are two small private ponds on the property and a large bog towards the back of the property. This creates the perfect habitat for all sorts of furred and feathered wildlife. Also comes complete with a small screened gazebo. MLS #1572543 – $119,000 PITTSFIELD – 12.43 surveyed acres of prime Maine woodland located on the Hussey Road in Pittsfield. This area is teeming with wildlife, upland birds, and white-tailed deer. The woods are a mixture of hard and soft wood trees in multiple stages of growth. The road to the land is hard packed gravel which makes this lot the perfect spot for your off-grid cabin. There is already a cleared area. Bring your tools and your supplies and build that dream cabin off the grid. MLS #1572116 – $35,000 SOLON – Looking for one level living with privacy and room to roam. Here it is! This 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, ranch home sits nicely off the road, offers 4.6 acres of land, an attached 2 car garage and covered areas in the front and back of the home to sit and enjoy the abundant wildlife. This property is located a short drive to the South in Skowhegan which offers shopping, restaurants and a hospital. A short drive to the North in Bingham offers many recreational activities such as fishing, rafting, snowmobiling and ATVing. MLS #1573809 – $169,900 MADISON – Great opportunity! This 4 bedroom 2 bathroom home offers plenty of options for you to customize the space in any way that you choose. The oversized 2 car detached garage has plenty of storage above. The home and garage are located on 1.03 acres of land which offers beautiful views of the mountains in the distance. Many improvements recently made! MLS #1552148 – $175,000 SOLON – Approximately 78 acres of wooded land with some views. Road is private and gated. ATV and snowmobile trails close by. Perfect spot for an off-grid hunting cabin. Taxes are estimated. Currently in tree growth for tax purposes. MLS #1534242 – $87,900
10 Ames Road, Kenduskeag, ME
Ripley – Approximately 46 acres of land on a maintained gravel road, with power available at the road. Great spot for hunting after setting up your camp. Currently in tree growth for tax purposes. Tax figure is estimated only. (23025Hb1000) MLS #1534664 – $86,900
www.northeasternlog.com
HARTLAND – Approximately 112 acres of surveyed land on a town maintained gravel road, with power available at the road. Nice spot to build your home or camp. The ROW from Huff Hill Rd. offers a nice gravel road for more access to this property and is also the ATV and snowmobile trail. The property features beautiful views as well. Currently in tree growth for tax purposes. Tax figure is estimated only. (23025Sa1002) MLS #1537236 – $137,500 11/23
1-800-624-2797 • (207) 884-7000 www.MaineSportsman.com
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— Recreation Destination —
Coos Canyon Lodge
“The County to The Coast”
Byron, ME
(207) 532-4500 Four season lodge with snowmobile trail next to the property and an ATV trail on the corner! Come hike, fish, ski and swim. Call or text 207-831-7008 or email tagreene4@yahoo.com. Follow Coos Canyon Lodge on Facebook.
Caryn Dreyfuss, Broker • (207) 233-8275 caryndreyfuss@morton-furbish.com www.realestateinrangeley.com
LINCOLN PLT – Year-round home 3 private pastoral acres with 400’+/- frontage on the Magalloway River and 300’+/- frontage on Alder Stream. Perched on a knoll with commanding river and mountain views, this 3 bedroom home with attached 2 car garage and detached steel barn is ideally located to enjoy all four seasons. Snowmobile from your door, launch your boat on Aziscohos Lake. This riverside gem is sure to please, inquire today! MLS #1574074 – $699,000 RANGELEY PLT – Fantastic setting for this spacious lakeside home sited on level lawn to waters edge with 110’ sandy frontage. Offering open kitchen/living/great room, sun-filled living area with gas viewing stove and bonus room above, 2 bedrooms on main level, 2nd level master suite and sitting area. Large covered porch overlooking the lake, mountains, sunsets, plus 24x24 2 bay garage for your gear. MLS #1572751 – $899,000 RANGELEY PLT – Spectacular vintage sporting camps on 3.41 private acres right on Mooselookmeguntic Lake! Property includes 5 cabins (3 fully winterized), bathhouse with laundry room, covered pole shed, and 2 RV hookups with power and water. Two sandy beaches with a total of 550 feet of frontage and fantastic views across the lake. This property has been run commercially, but could be a private compound. Beautiful, rustic, simple, charming. MLS #1567879 – $2,000,000
www.FirstChoiceRealEstate.com
T3 R1 – Brand spanking new cabin with detached woodshed/privy. Deeded across to Bill Green Pond (across the road.) Partially furnished and cute as a button. Possible owner financing. $89,900
Lakeville – Large cabin is unfinished Lakeville – This cute, well-constructed on the inside and sits on a half acre of cabin on a small hidden cove on Lower land. End of road privacy in quiet, rural Dobsy Lake. Private 10 wooded acres. location on Duck Lake. It has a one car, Light a fire and sit near thousands of drive in full foundation with a 400amp acres of additional lakes and ponds of underground electrical feed. $229,000 Northern Maine. $149,000 Danforth – Lot offers relaxing sunset’s views, has electricity available at the road and is level and well wooded right on Lower Hot Brook Lake. This is a beautiful, quiet part of northern Maine- ready for you. $99,000 T3 R1 – Remote. Private. Wooded and beautiful. With deeded access to Bill Green Pond, this would be a wonderful place to build your seasonal cabin right off Engstrom Rd. POSSIBLE OWNER FINANCING. The driveway is shared with lot 17 and is partially installed. $24,900 Macwahoc PTL – Comfortable sized lot offering privacy and recreational opportunities on Old US Rte 2. Near the Molonkus Stream and cheap taxes. Driveway is in place. Bring a camper or build a little getaway cabin. $24,900 Lee – Year round road with electric available on Thomas Hill Road. Well wooded. Near ATV and snowsled trails, with dozens of lakes all within an hour’s drive and being a wonderful place for your getaway cabin, home or the RV. $24,900
207-794-2460 • 1-800-675-2460 cwa@cwalakestreet.com R E A L
E S T A T E
5 Lake Street, P.O. Box 66 LINCOLN, ME
— Call any of our brokers to work for you! — “Tate” Aylward 207-794-2460 Peter Phinney (207) 794-5466 • Kirk Ritchie (207) 290-1554
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Bangor (207) 738-5315 edwardl@edssheds-cabins.com
www.EdsSheds-Cabins.com
Say hello to the ultimate work from home experience! Sally Mountain Cabins is situated on the shores of Big Wood Lake in Jackman, Maine, with approximately 355 feet of water frontage, and consists of a private 3-bedroom owner’s residence and office, 11 cabins, a 3-unit apartment building, a separate large garage and a bait shop. The current owner has operated the business since 1991, has repeat customers every year and is fully booked for the year ahead. This is a completely turn-key business opportunity equipped for every need. All cabins are fully furnished, nicely appointed, winterized, have covered porches and their signature red metal roofs. In the winter months you’ll earn extra income from Sally Mountain Cabins’ famous ice shack rentals and bait sales – the only bait shop in the area. The entire property is well-maintained and is on Jackman town water and sewer. Jackman is a popular 4-season sporting area with miles of world-class snowmobile and ATV trails stretching to Canada and across Maine. There are endless opportunities for every outdoor enthusiast. This business is everything you’ve dreamed of and more with the opportunity to get away from it all while making a great living doing something you love. $2,400,000
Lauren Kane McDermott, REALTOR
RE/MAX Shoreline | 875 Greenland Road, Suite B9, Portsmouth, NH Cell: 603-498-0630 | Office: 603-431-1111 laurenkane@remax.net | https://laurenkane.remax.com
www.MaineSportsman.com
76 • November 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————
www.MaineSportsman.com