Northwoods Sporting Journal, Oct. 2020

Jillpoke Fibb Spots A Mounting Lion October 2020

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October 2020

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 3

Sneakin’ a Peek

More than enough books have been written about fly fishing to fill the shelves on one floor at the Library of Congress. As a matter of fact, in my small office above our garage, there are more than 40

when there is a snowstorm of caddis flies skittering hither and yon over, about and around the salmon waters of the Big Eddy on the West Branch of the Penobscot River. Then all bets are off.

An avid angler with whom I of-

tempting to grovel and flat out ask the question across the swirling, foam-specked water. It’s like those days at the school dance when you hesitated, even though she was cute and smiled at you. What if she declined your invitation to dance?

The happy angler with all the hookups could simply

Outdoors In Maine

by V. Paul Reynolds, Ellsworth, ME return to the fly box.

As in other skill-related endeavors of this world, as the saying goes, old age and treachery will always

ing Journal.” He is also a Maine guide and host of a weekly radio program — “Maine Outdoors” — heard Sundays at 7 p.m.

The happy angler with all the hookups could simply on “The Voice of Maine News - Talk Network.” He smile back, like Betty Lou, at your nervous query has authored three books; and with a smile say, “I’ll never tell.” ten share a smile back, like Betty Lou, win out over youth and online purchase information is available at www. canoe with at your nervous query and hard work. maineoutdoorpublications. on the Eddy with a smile say, “I’ll never com. or at www.sportingi s a l w a y s tell.” Or even worse, “It a p o l o g e t i c ain’t none of your business, The author is editor journal.com. Contact email when, dur- Bub.” of the “Northwoods Sport- is: vpaulr@tds.net ing this cadThere is another way dis storm and to find out what fly that fish-feeding guy’s using without risking The hat spills the beans. Get close f r e n z y, h e loss of face, or pushing the enough and you can identify this shoots a long bounds of ethical angling. veteran angler’s Go-To flies. Ah line over and It’s called sneakin’ a peek. yes, an elk hair caddis with a tiny a c r o s s m y When the lucky angler dropper that looks a lot like a floating line comes ashore, simply walk Nancy’s Prayer. in an attempt by him casually and check (Photo by V. Paul Reynolds) to reach a dis- out his fly-festooned fish1681 Bennoch Rd, Old Town, ME books about fly fishing. tance rise. “So sorry,” he ing cap. I did this with one East Off I-95 Exit 197 Topics run the gamut from intones, “I hope you under- successful and seasoned fly tying, fly casting and stand. That was a helluva Big Eddy regular, Scott fly- rod making to insect nice fish. I am in this for MacArthur.

His hat told the story. hatches and Atlantic salm- the tug, ya know!” on angling in the Canadian It is sometimes diffi- He was catching all those provinces. cult when an angler allows remarkable salmon on a What I have yet to passion to overrule gentle- #16 elk hair caddis with a find in all of this literature, manly behavior. There is a Nancy’s Prayer dropper! CERTIFIED HUNTING & FISHING GAME LICENSES however, is much about more nuanced ethical ques- It was perfect. No words a fly fisherman’s ethical tion that has always haunt- were spoken. No self-esSCALES RESIDENT • NON-RESIDENT obligations when fishing ed me, however. When, if teem compromised and no solo, or when sharing a ever, is it acceptable to pop offenses taken.

You see, MacArthur, popular piece of water with this question to the guy in AMMO • CAMO a fellow angler. Although the next boat over, who like most of us aging anHUNTING BLINDS & GEAR there are exceptions, most seems to be the only angler glers, spends half of his fly fishermen that I have hooking fish. “Say, that was time on the water trying encountered over the years a feisty salmon, huh? If you to thread tippets through tend to be friendly, polite, wouldn’t mind my asking, #18 and #20 flies. Adding the dropper means at least even to the point of being what did it hit?” thoughtful. Of course, the I almost always think another ten minutes when Golden Rule can be an ethi- it, but rarely ask it. Pride your line is not in the water. cal guide: treat your fellow you know. On the Big It becomes a time-invested 5 angler as you would expect Eddy, where the salmon are lashup. So, when fishing to be treated by him or her. schooled (excuse the pun) ends, easier for him to pop The understood ex- in tippet avoidance and the fly and dropper onto his CLOSED ception, of course, to all of insect identification, it can hat for the next day, rather this civility and propriety is get frustrating. And very than break it down and www.oldtowntradingpost.net

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Page 4

Northwoods Sporting Journal The Sportin’ Journal

On The Cover

Jillpoke Fibb Spots a Mounting Lion - Pg 6 Gunning For Grouse - Pg 16 Fall Fishing Hotspots - Pg 36 More Cougar Sightings - Pg 24 New .27 Nosler - Pg 33 Moose Poachers Prosecuted - Pg 23 Camps, Cottages and Land for Sale - Pg 65

Contents

The Outdoor Paper For “Maine Folks”

3. Outdoors In Maine - V. Paul Reynolds 5. Muzzleloading Afield - Al Raychard 6. The Adventures Of Me & Joe - Bob Cram 10. “A Hiker’s Life” - Carey Kish 11. On Point - Paul Fuller 14. South Of The Kennebec - Stu Bristol 16. The Gun Cabinet - John Floyd 17. What’s in Your Woods - Bud Utecht 18. Outdoor Sporting Library - Jeremiah Wood 20. Aroostook Woods & Waters - Mike Maynard 22. On The Prowl - Justin Merrill 23. Warden’s Words - Kale O’Leary 24. Question Of The Month 25. Maine Outdoor Adventure - Rich Yvon 28. Anticosti - Mark Cote 29. Maine Tails - Jonah Paris 31. The Trail Rider - Rod Fraser 32. The Buck Hunter - Hal Blood 33. Guns & Ammo: A Guide’s Perspective - Tom Kelly 34. Cookin’ With New England’s WildCheff - Denny Corriveau 35. The Tyer’s Corner - Hugh Kelly 35. The Bird Perch - Karen Holmes 36. Women In The Woods - Erin Merrill 38. The Fur Shed - Blake Dougerty 39. Old Tales From The Maine Woods - Steve Pinkham 40. The Allagash - Matt LaRoche 42. Northwoods Sketchbook - Mark McCollough 43. The Back Shelf - V. Paul Reynolds 44. Native Fish Talk - Bob Mallard 46. New Hampshire Outdoors - Peter St. James 47. Northwoods Voyager - Gil Gilpatrick 48. Marsh Island Chronicles - Matthew Dunlap 50. Vermont Ramblings - Dennis Jensen 51. Outdoors In Vermont - Gary Moore 53. Green Mountain Report - Bradley Carleton 55. Kineo Currents - Suzanne AuClair 57. Fly Fishing - Joe Bertolaccini 58. The Singing Maine Guide - Randy Spencer 59. Best Bassin’ - Bill Decoteau 60. “Just Fishing” - Bob Leeman 62. Mass Wanderings - David Willette 63. Ramblings From T8-R9 - Benjamin Rioux 64. Malarkey Cabin Chronicles - Ray Dillon

Other Great Stories & Information

October 2020

The Northwoods Sporting Journal is the Northeast’s most comprehensive and readable monthly outdoor publication. Published at the trailhead of Maine’s sprawling North Woods, the Sporting Journal prides itself on being an independent voice for the region’s outdoor community for more than 27 years. Some of our writers are seasoned and specialized outdoors people who will share their know-how and insights; some of our contributors are simply lifelong outdoor people with interesting stories to tell.

Our aim every month is to capture the essence of Northern New England’s remarkable outdoor heritage by stirring memories, portraying outdoor humor, and sharing experiences and outdoor knowledge.

We also keep our readers up to date with late-breaking outdoor news and hard-hitting editorials about fish and wildlife issues.

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

Maine Tails - Pg 29

By Jonah Paris

www.sportingjournal.com

Main Office Phone: (207) 732-4880 E-mail: info@sportingjournal.com Fax: (207)732-4970 Vol 27 Issue 10 is published monthly by Northwoods Publications, 57 Old County Rd. North, W. Enfield, ME 04493 Periodical Postage Paid at W. Enfield, ME. and additional mailing offices.

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

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

All rights reserved, 2020. Written permission must be obtained from the Northwoods Sporting Journal to reprint any part of this publication. Any errors or omissions in ads or editorial matter will be corrected in the next issue of NWSJ. The views and opinions expressed by our monthly columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of this publication.

“A Hiker’s Life” - Pg 10

By Carey Kish

8. Editorial/Letters 13. Outdoor News 37. Crossword Puzzle 41. Trading Post 45. Carroll’s Corner - Carroll Ware 65. Real Estate

Cover Photo:

Photo courtesy of I-Stock Photos

Malarkey Cabin Chronicle - Pg 64

By Ray Dillon

What’s In Your Woods - Pg 17

By Bud Utecht

October 2020

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Grouse: More Than Just A Hunt

Page 5

Muzzleloading Afield

by Al Raychard, Lyman, ME

walking old roads taking in the north woods in their fall colors under blue bird skies, exploring new territory or visiting familiar haunts, breathing in that crisp, indescribable fall scent, spotting moose, deer

October in the north woods is a special time. (Photo by Al Raychard) I’ll be the first to admit my annual hunting exploits have nothing to do with antler size or even large body size. Don’t get me wrong. If opportunity provides a shot at an impressive buck or large boar I’ll take it and be thankful, but my love of hunting, and success at it, has never been determined by the number of points on a buck or how much a bear or other animal tips the scales. It has everything to do with being in the woods and putting meat in the freezer and eventually on a plate in front of me at the dinner table. Which is why I’m just as happy to tag a fat doe, spike horn or “average” size bear.

Which brings me to the point of wondering what it is about grouse that makes them so irresistible, and one that is more popular than ever? Consider this. Those of us who make annual jaunts to the 3.5 million acres within the North Maine Woods well know access is through various checkpoints. What some may not know or might have forgotten is the NMW tracks reasons for going, including among other things

recreational trends. In October 2019 just over 11,000 hunters passed through NMW checkpoints, many of them after grouse amassing over 21,000 visitor days hunting birds. That accounts for some 37-percent of the NMW total visitors that year. That’s pretty impressive.

What is even more impressive is those 11,000plus hunters and visitor days spent hunting grouse was 9-percent and 24.5 percent higher, respectively over figures compiled during October 2018. That strongly suggests interest in hunting grouse is more popular than ever and is likely growing in popularity, not only on NMW lands but most probably on lands outside their gates as well.

The question is what’s all the hoopla over a bird that weighs less than a pound when de-feathered and breasted for the pot?

The answer is undoubtedly varied and perhaps personal. For many it might be tradition, something they have always done and still do every fall with family or friends, a getaway, a chance to enjoy the kinship, and the north country

one more time before winter. November may belong to deer hunters, but among bird dog owners October is their long awaited season and working the dogs and pursuing grouse is something engrained in their DNA. I’ve never owned a bird dog, but have hunted over them on numerous occasions and understand the devotion and passion.

For others, like me, simply riding the roads or

it’s just an added bonus, my contribution to supper back at camp. All I know is I’ve hunted grouse for decades when opportunity knocks with side-by-side, single barrel, double and muzzle loading shotguns but truth

For others, like me, simply riding the roads or walking old roads taking in the north woods in their fall colors under blue bird skies, exploring new territory or visiting familiar haunts, breathing in that crisp, indescribable fall scent, spotting moose, deer perhaps a coyote or bear is what grouse hunting is all about. perhaps a coyote or bear is what grouse hunting is all about. On more than on trip, most trips in fact, I voluntarily serve as driver and never pick up a shotgun. I’m so content there I see no need. When I do,

be known I’m as enthralled and addicted to the north country and this special time of year as I am with the birds themselves. I’m just so glad they go hand in hand.

Page 6

Northwoods Sporting Journal

The Adventures of Me and Joe

The Mounting Lion

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

Me and Joe sat at a table in the Five N’ Diner attempting to get Tobin Genus to tell us where we could locate a big buck deer. A wildlife biologist with Fisheries and Wildlife, Tobin spent nearly all his time prowling the back woods of the Mooseleuk region. His reports to the state were always accurate and concise and everyone agreed that he was the most knowledgeable biologist in the state. Added to that, Tobin was a certified genius, with more encyclopedic knowledge lodge in his high-domed head than that possessed by a whole herd of college professors. The only thing he seemed to lack was to get along easily in pleasant society was any slight vestige of a sense of humor. Tobin Genus was a serious man.

“C’mon, Tobe,” Joe said, his voice wheedling.

“Jest give us a little hint about where you seen a big buck sneakin’ around the back country.”

“Wouldn’t be ethical,” Genus said, pausing to sip carefully at his steaming coffee.

“Course it would! We

wouldn’t tell a soul. Yer secret would be safe with us.”

“But you would go out and attempt to harvest the buck.”

“Yep, that’s true,” Joe said enthusiastically.

“What’s yer point?”

“My point is it would give you an unfair advantage over other hunters.

It wouldn’t be an ethical move on my part.”

“Yes, but see…it wouldn’t be you shootin’ the buck. T’would be us, and we’d be downright ethical ‘bout the whole thing!”

Genus sighed and tasted his coffee again.

“You don’t seem to understand. If I…” Suddenly, the door slammed open and Jillpoke Fibb stood there, staring wildly around the room, rotund body supported by spindly legs, thinning gray hair sprouting in all directions. Spotting us at the window table, he hurried on over.

“Saw a mounting lion over on the side of Chandler Mountain!” he cried.

“There are no mountain lions in Maine,” Tobin Genus said calmly.

October 2020

“The mounting lion! The mounting lion! There he is, up above that ledge!” Jillpoke gestured wildly up the hill.

“He was up on the side of a ledge,” Jillpoke continued. “Just kinda layin’ there. He stared down at me with them big cat eyes.

Sent a chill right down my spine, I kin tell yer!”

“A few specimens

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

may have been released by nefarious individuals, principally downstate,” Tobin continued. “Bug as a whole, we have determined that there is no viable population of Felis concolor, the cougar, or mountain lion, in Maine.”

“Then he opened his jaws real wide, like he was yawnin’ or somethin’!”

Jillpoke said. “You shoulder seen them fangs! Six inches long, I bet!”

“Actually, the fangs of an adult cougar would only measure, at the most…”

“An’ the tail! Musta been this long!” Jillpoke spread his arms as wide as possible, knocking over a

place setting on a nearby table.

The waitress, Prissy Broadbeam, quickly righted the tumbled crockery and scowled at Jillpoke.

“The tail of a fully grown cougar, depending on age, nutrition, and a variety of other…”

“Big? I guess to jumpin’ he was big!” Jillpoke cried, sitting down and bouncing on the edge of a chair. “Musta gone two hunnert pound! Biggest mounting lion I ever seen!”

“You’ve never seen a mountain lion before, Jillpoke,” Joe said, edging his coffee cup away from (Me & Joe cont. pg 7)

October 2020

Me & Joe

(Cont. from pg 6) Fibb’s flailing arms.

“If’n I had, this one would be bigger!” Jillpoke said, nodding his head violently up and down. “Them other ones I didn’t see?

They was all smaller than this one!”

Tobin scowled. “But, if you didn’t see…that is, how could they be…I mean…”

“Exactly where on Chandler Mountain did you see this, er, cougar, Jillpoke?” I said.

“You know where that ol’ loggin’ road on the south side forks?”

I nodded.

“You take that right fork an’ go to where it dead ends. I was workin’ east from there, on that wide slope ‘mongst them big hardwoods, maples, beech an’ sech. You know, Tobin; right where yer rig was parked the last few days.”

Tobin glanced sheepishly at me and Joe. Jillpoke caught the look and grinned.

“I been watchin’ yer.

I seen you was spyin’ on them two big bucks been workin’ up-slope outa the swamp durin’ the day.

Thought I’d go on over there an’ puncture one of ‘um. That’s when I see the mounting lion. I bet he was figgerin’ on gittin’ him a deer, too!”

“Mr. Fibb,” Tobin said reasonably. “Were there a resident population of cougars in northern Maine, some hunter with dogs would have treed one by now. A logging truck, a hunter’s vehicle, or just a family out for a ride would have hit one by now. But we have no identifiable tracks, no scat, nothing to go on. It seems obvious to

Northwoods Sporting Journal

me that the region is devoid of large cats.”

Jillpoke gazed at him mildly. “You done?” Tobin opened his mouth to reply, but Jillpoke had already turned back to Joe. “I know it ain’t yer reg’lar fare,” he said. “But I remember you useter hunt bobcats back in the day. I knew you’d wanter know but a mounting lion in the area, maybe take a looksee sometime.”

“As I was saying,” Tobin began again. “The estimated range…”

Joe set down his coffee cup. “Well, Poke, seems to me the best way to confirm this here sighting is for all of us to go on up on the side of Chandler an’ you kin show us the exact spot where this wild creature was hangin’ out.”

“That’s a great idea!”

Jillpoke leaped up and headed for the door. “We’ll take yore Jeep.”

As I dug money from my pocket and dropped it on the table, I looked over at Tobin Genus. “ Yo u w a n n a r i d e along, Tobin?”

The biologist sighed.

“I suppose the only way to show Jillpoke that he didn’t really see a cougar is to go along and see what he saw.

Let me get my camera.”

As Joe’s Jeep clawed its way up the side of the mountain, I could hear Jillpoke in the back, expounding on his sighting to an increasingly impatient Tobin Genus.

“An’ it was kinda loomin’ over me from on that ledge! You know how them mountin lions kinda loom over their prey? Like in the Peanuts comic strip when Snoopy plays a bein’ a vulture an’ looms over Lucy?

Kinda like that.”

“It wasn’t a mountain lion, Jillpoke. We don’t

have any mountain lions.”

Tobin said firmly.

“An’ big! Did I say big? Three hunnert pounds if he was an ounce!”

“In all the history of mountain lions there has never been a 300 pound animal.”

“Knowed it! I jist knowed it! Stands to reason our Maine mountain lions would be record setters!”

I glanced back and saw Tobin bury his face in his hands.

In the turn-around at the end of the logging road we piled out of the Jeep and zipped up our jackets against the chill breeze. Joe opened the battered case behind the seats and pulled out his ancient Winchester.

“Jest the ticket!” Jillpoke crowed as Joe fed .38-55 cartidges into the magazine. “That joker’ll make short work of any mountain lion, 400 pounds or not!”

“Can’t shoot a mountain lion,” Tobin said. “’Course he can,” Jillpoke snorted indignantly.

“Joe, he’s the best shot in four counties!”

“I mean that it is illegal to shoot mountain lions.

Any animal for which there is no open season in the regulations is prohibited from being harvested.”

“Thought you said they wasn’t any mounting lions? How kin you make a law agin shootin’ something there ain’t any of?”

Joe shook his head, cradles the rifle under one arm, and set off into the woods, working slowly along the slope through the open hardwood forest. The rest of us followed along cautiously in his wake.

We moved very slowly, Joe stopping frequently to look the area over. The wind came upslope, from our right and I noticed that, although Jillpoke had told

Page 7

us that he’d seen the mountain lion a little further up the mountain, most of Joe’s attention was focused downslope, to our right.

Suddenly, he froze, staring down through the scattered beech growth.

The Winchester came slowly to his shoulder.

Jillpoke, seeing the movement, hurried up close behind him.

“It’s one ‘er them bucks I was tellin’ yer about,” he whispered.

“Shutup, Poke,” Joe said softly, the butt of the rifle nestling against his shoulder.

“That there’s the bigger one,” Jillpoke continued. “T’other one is almost that size.”

“If you don’t shut up right now, Poke,” Joe murmured, “I’ll shoot you dead.”

Jillpoke looked offended. He turned stiffly (Me & Joe cont. pg 56)

Page 8

Northwoods Sporting Journal

October 2020

Bear Hunting Saved Again

The Glowa petition, a perfectly legal maneuver by Maine anti-hunting activist John Glowa, was his groups’ third attempt to ban bear hunting as we know it in our state.

Thankfully, it has failed once again, apparently.

At a recent meeting of the Fish and Wildlife Advisory Council, state wildlife managers presented to Council members a thoughtful and comprehensive list of reasons why the Maine fall bear hunts are not only ethical and within the parameters of “fair chase,” but moreover are a critical component of bear population management and wildlife stewardship.

Here is an excerpt from IF&W’s Aug. 12th testimony to the council: Hunters across the world have developed standards of conduct and methods of hunting that are viewed as acceptable and that are adapted to local conditions. In general, ‘fair chase’ means that the pursued animal always has a fair chance of escaping and the hunter does not have an unfair advantage during the hunt. Maine’s thick forests makes it difficult to hunt bears.

In fact, only about 1 in 3 hunters that use bait to hunt bears in Maine are successful, which is a lower success rate than hunts for many other wildlife species. Hunting over bait allows hunters to get closer to bears,

The Cat Trail Cam Photo To the Editor In answer to V. Paul Reynolds query as to what readers think, although I don’t think that’s a cougar in the photo, I think it’s entirely possible that there might be a valid sighting occasionally, not of a wild one from a breeding population but of one either escaped or abandoned by an owner. A biology prof from U Mass. told me years ago

allowing them to avoid shooting bears with cubs and allowing better shot placement.

All these aspects of hunting over bait provide for an ethical hunt.

In a clear, unequivocal statement of opposition to the Glowa petition, the Department made many of the same points that it presented so persuasively during the two previous anti-bear hunting referendums.

The Department is opposed to the petition for the following reasons: Maine’s bear population goals, objectives, and management strategies were established through a public participatory process that included scientific public surveys, focus groups, public meetings, and an opportunity for public comment. None of the changes that would be enacted by the proposed rule were identified as priorities in Maine’s current bear management plan.

In fact, maintaining and where appropriate expanding current hunting methods, including the use of bait, was identified as a high priority in the plan.

Maine’s bear population is increasing due to low hunter participation and harvest levels. Phasing out the use of bait (as currently defined) will reduce hunter success rates and lead to a further decline in bear harvest, increasing survival of adult females. This will cause the bear popula-

of the number of permits issued there as opposed to the lesser number of animals still present at a later inspection; a fair number were missing, believed to be released when no longer wanted, but claimed to be escaped or dead. However, in my career in the Me. Warden Service I never saw a track or a sign of one, nor did any other warden that I ever talked with, and I supervised divisions from Allagash Lake to the sea coast.

The photo, which probably is of a lynx, can only be considered to show a long tail if you really want it to; there is a small stick leaning against it, which would be highly unlikely, and the on the whole it bears more resemblance to what appears to be a short stick on the ground than it does to the tail of a cat. I would think it to be a dead stick that the cat is passing by.

It might be interesting, and enlightening, to

tion to grow and expand more rapidly into southern and central Maine, where the potential for conflict with humans is highest.

Maine’s current bear management plan seeks to prevent population growth in the southern and central portions of the state.

There is more work to be done.

Glowa’s two other petitions, which would ban coyote hunting and coyote trapping respectively will be heard by the Advisory Council later in September.

In addition to the aforementioned antihunting petitions, Glowa continues to use legal avenues in an effort to shut down Maine’s annual moose hunt. A superior court judge recently dismissed his request for the courts to suspend this fall’s moose hunt via an injunction. The judge ruled that “the plaintiff ( Glowa) had no standing and dismissed the case with prejudice.”

Unfortunately, anti-hunting activist Glowa does not understand or appreciate the role that hunting plays in professional wildlife management. Thankfully, a majority of Maine citizens accept and support our professional wildlife biologists and their compelling scientific arguments.

As for the remaining petitions on coyotes, we can only hope that IF&W wildlife managers stay the course.

Stay tuned.

- VPR

ask the N.S.J. readers to share their Bigfoot sightings. I expect there might be a few.

Have enjoyed the Journal and your articles for many years.

on cougar sightings!

I have 2 sightings to report, very sure about these!

On the Rice Rips Road in Oakland, behind Colby College, my father was working in his strawberry fields at Hosea’s StrawCharlie Tobie, berry Farm, years ago, and Retired Maine he was bent over workGame Warden ing in the fields, when he heard and sensed someThe Leaping Cougar thing running to him, and before (thank the Lord) To the Editor: he could stand and react, H e l l o ! I r e a l - it jumped over him! The ly enjoyed your article (Letters cont. pg 9)

Northwoods Sporting Journal

October 2020

Letters

(Cont. from pg 8) cougar kept running and Dad saw a large yellow cougar, long tail, running away! So happy he did not stand! He was bent over and the cougar was running and just jumped over him!

Dad told us all about it!

The second time I was driving to Mom and Dad’s on Rices Rips Road and it was dark. In my headlights, I saw a big yellow cat (cougar) and a long tail and it ran into the bushes! Thanks for the chance to tell you this! We have been told that they live by the dam in Oakland just down the railroad tracks from Rices Rips Road.

Julie Gee Belgrade

The Tomlin Cat Photo To the Editor: I don’t see a long tail in the image on Howard Tomlin’s trail camera (lion) capture.

If the piece of vegetation that bisects the right rear upper leg of the animal is what one might consider a “tail” - my opinion - Nope!

A striding cat carries its tail behind in an arc, not

draped around its leg.

I have seen a lynx just twice in Maine - both times in the same place - as I was heading into Machias from the south, but separated by two or three years. The animal was crossing Rt. 1 from the south to the north, just before the corner of Rt. 1 and Kennebec Rd. What made it distinctive was the high set haunches, clearly visible in the Tomlin image.

So, my vote is definitely for Lynx.

I will be interested to learn what others write.

Page 9

-Ilze BalodisFarmington

Cougar Stalking Deer To the Editor I am 77, retired from the Navy and Piedmont Airlines and a Master Maine Guide living in Eustis. Spent most of my Navy time homebased in Brunswick. In the 70s we still had the split seasons, and my wife and I would take the last 2 weeks of September off, start at Grand Lake Stream and hunt and fish our way to Jackman. We were on 95 south of Bangor – towing a travel trailer. I saw a doe just a little way (Letters cont. pg 12)

All bear parts must have legal paperwork before purchase, hunter’s name, address and tag number. Thank you!

Page 10

Northwoods Sporting Journal

“A Hiker’s Life”

October 2020

Sloggin’ the Blue Ridge

by Carey Kish, Mt. Desert Island, ME James River at 650 feet, crossing it via a 700-foot bridge. Built on the piers of an old railway span, it is the longest pedestrian-only bridge on the Appalachian Trail. Weeks of intense heat and humidity had worn me For a 130-mile stretch down by this point, and the through west central Vir- river proved irresistible for Carey Kish stands atop Mary’s Rock, overlooking Thornton Gap in ginia, the Appalachian a swim and a good, oldShenandoah National Park. The 79,600-acre park rests between the Trail follows the famed time hiker bath.

Shenandoah Valley and the Virginia Piedmont. (Carey Kish photo).

Blue Ridge Parkway in Beyond the James fairly close proximity. Even River, the trail climbs into a drons offered solace amid pounds and 3 inches off with this Appalachian Trail though the trail crosses the jumble of mountains at the the gloomy mists on the my waist. I now weigh a journey. Thanks to my paltry 152 pounds, includ- wife, family and friends With both spirits and gear dampened, forest path.

On the morning out ing shaggy beard. I haven’t for supporting this dream.”

I finally dropped down into welcome of Punchbowl Mountain had a single blister, and am The attrition rate has sunshine at Rockfish Gap on the Shelter, lost in my thoughts still wearing the same pair spiked the last few weeks, doorstep of Shenandoah National Park or perhaps just undercaf- of boots. I’ve shot 2,314 with at least two dozen and made straight for a food truck feinated, I hiked the wrong images with my Nikon, hiker friends leaving the serving hot dogs, fries and soda. way (south) for nearly two and 500 more photos and trail. Injuries from falls, miles and climbed 1,000 a handful of videos with Lyme disease, poison ivy, scenic drive multiple times, 4,000-foot level, including feet. At a now familiar my iPhone. I’ve written boredom, homesickness, I never let it intrude on the Cold Mountain, The Priest viewpoint I realized my 40,402 words for my blog, money woes, family probwild mountain experience and Three Ridges. Unfortumistake, barked out a few and 2,600 for this column. lems at home, even an acfound in the woods to ei- nately, through five straight expletives, turned around No estimate on the cidental stabbing – all have ther side. days of nearly steady rain I and hustled north. number of beers consumed, taken their toll.

From 4,200 feet on missed most of the vistas.

With both spirits and or Snicker bars or Ramen Trundling along the Apple Orchard Mountain, Only the occasional stargear dampened, I finally noodle dinners. I’ve en- trail for long hours each the trail makes a meander- tling bursts of pink from dropped down into wel- joyed countless mountain day, my mind wanders. I ing 15-mile descent to the the blooming rhododencome sunshine at Rock- views, made as many in- haven’t experienced any fish Gap on the doorstep credible trail friends, and great philosophical breakof Shenandoah National have generally had a heck- throughs yet, but I have Park and made straight for uva good time. Several full enjoyed the complete freea food truck serving hot clouds of rain have fallen dom to think about everydogs, fries and soda. As any on me, but just a dusting of thing or nothing at all. I COLLISION REPAIR SPECIALISTS thru-hiker worth his or her snow. I’ve seen a handful once spent two entire days Dennis Brawn, Jr., Properietor salt would, I consumed two of snakes, but no rattlers piecing together the lyrics Ph: 207-564-8353 of each before heading into or copperheads. Other than for Harry Chapin’s “Taxi,” 26 Summer Street 1-800-464-8353 town for a couple days.

Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 a few biting gnats, insects and another two days singFax: 207-564-3426 proutyab@psouth.net Waynesboro, Virgin- haven’t been a problem. ing it over and over in my ia is 862 miles from the I am happy to be out head. Go figure. start of the AT on Springer here doing this hike. Some Mountain in Georgia and a days are certainly rougher Carey Kish is the augood place to take stock of than others, and I miss my thor of “AMC’s Best Day the big hike before pushing lovely wife Fran beyond Hikes Along the Maine on into the Shenandoahs. I measure, plus the other as- Coast” and editor of the noted the following in my pects of a comfy home life. “AMC Maine Mountain trail journal: I am ever grateful for Guide.” Follow more of “I’ve been on the trail the good health and good his outdoor adventures on for 79 days. I’ve lost 23 fortune to carry through Facebook @Carey Kish.

Editor’s note: Carey Kish is a two-time Appalachian Trail thru-hiker and recently completed the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail through California, Oregon and Washington.

PROUTY AUTO BODY

Northwoods Sporting Journal

October 2020

Page 11

Timberdoodle Times

Therefore, so long as I can tramp the woodlands in health and with reasonable safety, I will respect the ‘little russet feller’ whistling through white birches or alders or popples. He will destroy me when the foliage is thick and when I am keyed to the faster flight of a grouse, and he will shoot me down in flames when I get fatuous and consider him an easy mark. Woolner, The Complete Book of Woodcock Hunting, Page 17, The Lyons Press.

The American woodcock provides the upland hunter with many hours of enjoyment in both the spring and the fall. During the late winter and spring months, we anxiously await his return for tuning up our bird dogs after

fall hunting for woodcock.

Being a New Englander, I’m positioned perfectly for the coastal flights coming down from Nova Scotia and New Bruns- cock shooting. Although wick, Canada. That means Maine and New Hampshire may offer several weeks of shooting, the avid hunter may begin their woodcock hunting in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia or New Brunswick, Canada. Although I haven’t hunted woodcock in Nova Scotia, I certainly have in New Brunswick.

The author’s wife, Susan, and their gundog in the It’s easy to have woodcock covers. a 50- flush day in the dogs and fast shooting the entire coastal area of either province. for the hunter. It’s now fall Maine and New Hampshire In Maine and New so this column is all about offer outstanding wood- Hampshire, we have the

On Point

a long winter layoff. It’s a very short window since we don’t want to pressure the birds once they begin laying eggs. However, the fall gives us several weeks of prime upland work for

by Paul Fuller, Durham, N.H. benefit of both resident woodcock and migrating woodcock. I have covers in Maine where it’s easy to get ten flushes in the morning on just resident birds. Catch the migration and that number easily doubles or triples. Grand Lake Stream, Maine, can give you that kind of action.

Before we get into the actual hunting of the woodcock, I should mention that for the traveling hunter, Michigan offers excellent woodcock hunting. In fact, Michigan has long been the leader in numbers of woodcock harvested in a season.

(Timberdoodle cont. pg 12)

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Letters

Sporting Journal Northwoods

Besides, once you hear one scream you will never forget it. Maybe pets that got away – I don’t know.

I do know at least one was in Maine in the early 70s.

Thanks for your writing – you give a good perspective to our sports.

(Cont. from pg 9) off the road – “Look at the Deer” – went back to driving – an 18 wheeler was passing us. My wife said “look at the cat”. Maybe 50 yards behind the deer was a cougar stalking the deer.

Ray Craemer My wife and I are Eustis, both hunters, we have seen The State cougars – called “Panthers” Mountain Lion in Florida – we know what they look like. I don’t think To the Editor: there is a “population” in I just wanted to reMaine. If there were we would have more sightings. spond to V. Paul Reyn-

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olds article about cougars.

Several years ago I visited the Wildlife Park in Gray.

As I was checking out the cougar,or mountain lion enclosure, I approached a wildlife person that worked there. I asked him if there are no mountain lions in Maine, then why do you have one on display? He responded that they do not want people running around the Maine woods in search of one. I believe that they are in fact in Maine.

Will G.

Timberdoodle (Cont. from pg 11) And, the cover is not as thick as New England.

Primarily, woodcock feed on earthworms. With a long prehensile beak, they search deep for the worm.

They need soft ground for their search. That means alder runs along a brook or stream are ideal. Young birch or popple growth with a stream is also good.

October 2020

Habitat needs to be thick enough to provide protection from aerial predators but also leave room to run.

Unlike the ruffed grouse, the woodcock does not take into consideration their ability to escape via the flush. Many times over the years, I’ve seen woodcock flush in such thick cover that they get caught. I’ve seen woodcock caught primarily in multi-flora rose.

I know because I’ve also been caught in it. Habitat for ruffed grouse is divided into two categories, safety and food. For woodcock, feeding and roosting are done in the same habitat.

The telltale white splash is a sign that the birds are using an area.

For bird dogs, the pointing dog is used the most often for woodcock.

The woodcock has always been loved for holding for the point. However, in the past 15 years, the little rascal is running more.

You need a dog that, when relocated due to no bird

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found, will carefully track and reestablish point when close to the bird. When your dog has a nice solid point, approach your dog from the front. If you pinch the bird, it’s more likely to flush straight up which gives you a better shot. If you approach from behind your dog, the bird will flush straight away through the heavy cover.

A 20 or 28 gauge is perfect for woodcock.

Number 9 shot is preferred; however, number 10 shot is great if you can find it.

For barrel length, a 26” or 28” work fine. My side x side shotguns are all choked improved cylinder and modified cylinder. If I wanted just a woodcock gun, I would have them choked cylinder/improved cylinder.

The woodcock is a fine eating bird. Google recipes for woodcock and experiment until you find one which works well for your taste buds.

Paul Fuller and his wife, Susan, host and produce the Bird Dogs Afield TV show. Contact Paul: paul@birddogsafield.com

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 13

Outdoor News - October 2020 Edited by V. Paul Reynolds

Medical Examiner’s Office plans to perform an exam.

Several game warOctober! For most of us who hunt or fish or just dens responded to the incident as well as Cumberland enjoy the great outdoors County Sheriff’s Deputies this is it – the month of and the Raymond Fire months. Enjoy!

Department. This incident remains under investigaBrunswick Man Dies tion by the Maine Warden On Sebago Lake Service, and currently While Tubing no further information is A Brunswick man available. died in late August while being towed on a tube Swimmer Drowned behind a pontoon boat on Shortly before 2:00 Sebago Lake in the town p.m. in August Edward of Casco.

Kimball, 24, of ManchesCorey Wilcox, 37, ter, Maine drowned folwas being towed behind a lowing a swimming-related 22-foot Sun Tracker pon- incident off Pond Road toon boat that had been near the outlet of Cobrented at Port Harbor Ma- bosseecontee Lake. Game rine. In addition to Wilcox wardens say Kimball may who was on the tube, the have suffered health reboat contained five adults lated complications while including the operator who swimming. The incident were out on the boat for a did not involve a waterwork outing. The incident craft. Kimball’s body was took place at approximate- recovered quickly in eight ly 4:30 in the afternoon on feet of water and about 40 New Place Cove near Point feet from shore. Lifesaving Sebago. measures were performed Wilcox was being by first responders, but towed but started show- efforts were unsuccessful. ing signs of medical dis- Both Manchester and Wintress, and the boat slowed throp Fire Departments as and stopped to help him. well as State Troopers also Several passengers from assisted. the pontoon boat entered the water to help Wilcox Maine Wardens who was not wearing a Needed life jacket. Another boat in the vicinity also rendered aid and pulled Wilcox aboard where lifesaving measures were made but unsuccessful. Wilcox was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel.

Water conditions were very rough on the lake which may have contribThe Maine Warden uted to the incident. Wilcox was taken to Halls Funeral Service is looking for new Home in Casco where the team members who are

dedicated to conserving Maine’s fish, wildlife, and other natural resources and protecting the people who enjoy them. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their application as soon as it is complete. Before applicants can apply, they must pass the Physical Fitness exam. You can register for the exam by calling the Maine Warden Service at 207-287-5305. Typically, applicants are also required to pass an ALERT exam through the Criminal Justice Academy. The ALERT exam is currently waived due to COVID-19.

Another ATV Fatality

At approximately 5:30 p.m. in late August in Lang Township, Maine, Tyler Curry, age 29, of Groton, Massachusetts was riding alone on a private access road after leaving the group he had been riding with earlier in the day. Just prior to crossing a bridge, Curry exited a left turn and his ATV began sliding toward the edge of the road at a high rate of speed, and he straddled the outside edge of the bridge before he slid off the bridge and into the river. It appears that Curry was thrown from the ATV as he fell. Curry was not wearing a helmet. Two men who came to fish the river discovered the body and called 911 at 6:20 p.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency service personnel due to injuries sustained in the crash.

Speed appears to be a factor in the crash, and the Maine Warden Service continues to investigate.

Rangeley Fire, Rangeley PD & US Border Patrol all assisted the Maine Warden Service. No further information is available currently.

The Maine Warden Service Reminds all ATV riders to: • Always Wear Your Helmet • Always Ride Under Control • Always Ride Sober • Stay On Marked Trails “ATV riding can be a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors when they are driven properly,” said Game Warden Corporal John MacDonald. “Always wear your helmet, always ride under control, always ride sober and stay on marked trails.”

In Anson, Maine, a 69-year-old Freedom man was killed when he was thrown from the ATV he was riding on a trail in Solon.

Roland Robitaille was second in a line of seven ATVs riding on a trail behind the Solon Road in Anson when he went over a bridge on the trail, lost control of his 2017 Yamaha Grizzly ATV, rolled, and was thrown off the ATV. Robitaille, who was not wearing a helmet, was found face down in the trail by the ATVs following in his group, with severe trauma to his head and chest. His group called 911, and performed CPR until rescue personnel arrived, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, and was transported to a funeral home in Skowhegan.

The Maine Warden Service was assisted by the Anson Fire Department, and Anson-Madison Res-

cue. No more information is available at the time.

In The Forks, Maine, a 32-year-old Readfield man died when he lost control and flipped his ATV. Joshua Violette was the fifth ATV traveling in a group of nine ATVs on the Divide Road in the Forks when he hit a depression in the road, lost control and flipped his 2007 Polaris Sportsman 500 ATV. Violette died at the scene.

His passenger, 33-yearold Ashlie Dostie of Mt. Vernon suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Reddington Fairview Hospital in Skowhegan. Neither Violette or Dostie were wearing helmets.

The Maine Wardens Service, West Forks Fire and Rescue, and Upper Kennebec Valley Ambulance all responded to the incident. No further information is available currently.

North Maine Woods Will Be Busy

North Maine Woods, which manages much of the privately owned wildlands in the north woods for recreation, released the following advisory: We are facing a number of factors that will likely increase traffic in the North Maine Woods during hunting season this fall: We have a very unique situation this year with the first week of grouse season overlapping with the first week of moose season.

There will be a lot of people on forest roads on the same week! We ask hunters to avoid major truck haul (News cont. pg 19)

Page 14

Northwoods Sporting Journal

South Of the Kennebec

October 2020

Chasing Turkey Nuggets

the mature gobblers. As a turkey chaser with half a century of being a “turkeyholic” that puts turkey hunting, spring and fall right there with other big game species I say hogwash to those who pass on fall turkeys.

Traditionally a fall turkey hunter will find a flock of hens and broods that nearly shape up the

hunt fall turkey flocks hoping to peek over a rise and pick off one or two birds.

The danger in doing the latter is that other birds in the flock may be injured and go off to a slow death.

turkey hunters to focus on the “turkey nuggets” with the exception of the huntby Stu Bristol, er who is willing to take Lyman, ME less than a full bag for the A chicken (I mean a in an attempt to reduce chance to call in and take a turkey) in every pot this wild turkey populations mature gobbler in the fall. fall. Beginning September and not as many hunters Then, an14 through November 7 as we might expect are takother option is Maine licensed wild turkey ing full advantage. While to seek out the hunters can take five, that’s the same hunters eagerly “super jakes” as right, FIVE wild turkeys, seek out small bag limits many of us call either sex. This is the sec- of quail, grouse, squirrel, them. These are nearly two-yearTraditionally a fall turkey hunter will find a flock of hens and old males. They broods that nearly shape up the size of adults, have the height weighing six to eight pounds each. Now, ask yourself if you and weight of many adult birds would pass on five grouse that weigh less than a pound Author with a pair of fall turkeys. and sport beards instead of roughly thirty pounds of wild turkey.

In all sport hunting involv- of six inches or longer. ond year Maine has offered pheasant and woodcock, size of adults, weighing six ing birds it is generally They will travel in batchsuch liberal bag limits on for whatever reasons they to eight pounds each. Now, frowned upon to “flock elor groups of half a dozen turkey. pass on the young turkey ask yourself if you would shoot.” It is also illegal to or more, separate from the Rather than focus on flocks. Far too many hunt- pass on five grouse that take more than two birds in hen and brood of the year. taking the biggest turkey ers turn their noses up at weigh less than a pound any day in the fall (unless The woods in the fall in the flock, I want to in- a six to eight pound birds, instead of roughly thirty IF&W eliminates the regu- cannot be compared to any terest hunters in chasing and this year, five turkeys pounds of wild turkey. lation.) It is also frowned other time of year. Here what I call “turkey nug- either sex.

Once a flock or ideally upon and definitely illegal in the Northeast we enjoy gets” or young of the year As easy as that may several flocks are located in to shoot wild turkeys that the foliage, the crisp cool wild turkeys. Since birth, sound, filling five tags different covers, the hunter are roosted in a tree. air and the abundance of men especially, have been could be quite a chore, de- has the option of roosting None of us can regu- wildlife “game” species to trained to take the biggest, pending on the techniques the flock the night before late or shame hunters into help fill the freezer for the strongest animals with the you employ. The comments a hunt then, at daybreak, taking advantage of smaller winter. As always I urge most prized byproducts of are fast and furious that scatter flock shortly after turkeys in the fall. To kill hunters of all ages and sex skulls and antlers. there is little sport in fall fly-down and call indi- or not to kill is always to hunter for themselves Unfortunately, a huge turkey hunting, unless, vidual birds back. Another an individuals right. That and not to please or impress resource is laid at our feet of course, you seek out option would be to still said, I strongly urge fall others. When you follow this simple goal your reGRIGNON'S TAXIDERMY STUDIO ward will be far more than -THE FINEST MUSEUM QUALITY TAXIDERMYa filled freezer.

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October 2020

Northwoods Sporting Journal

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Page 15

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 16

Gunning for Grouse

The Gun Cabinet

by John Floyd, Webster Plantation,ME This month bird hunters are making their way into the logging roads and field edges in pursuit of that ever elusive, fighter jet of a game bird - the ruffed grouse. Getting back to these basics will help you put more birds in your bag.

Gun position and awareness Remaining focused on the edges as you are looking for a flush is more intensive than you may realize. Keeping your footing to prevent trips or a nasty fall adds more for you to think about and lessens your focus as well. Resist staring at the ground; keep your eyes up and scanning for that rascal to break from cover. It most decidedly will not flush from 12 inches in front of your toes.

After a long walk your gun position will start to

sag like a sunflower in October. Instead of keeping that shotgun at “port arms” and at the ready, the muzzle slowly dips and the gun moves closer to the body, the arms seeking relief from the constant strain of holding a heavy gun

The first step you take may flush a grouse that was holding close and got spooked when you stepped off.

Mounting the gun When that partridge bursts out of the edge the resulting thunder startles the best of us. Making the transition from the ready to the shoulder quickly and properly is crucial to

direction and if hunting with a partner or over a dog, be aware of your safe zones of fire.

Getting ahead of the bird When upland bird hunting coincides with rifle seasons on big game, we develop a tendency to aim our shotguns at grouse instead of pointing them.

With the exception of tur-

When that partridge bursts out of the edge the resulting thunder startles the best of us. Making the transition from the ready to the shoulder quickly and properly is crucial to putting that bird in your bag. away from the chest. Be aware of losing focus and gun position. When it happens, take a break. Have a sip of water and enjoy the scenery. Run some flush scenarios through your mind and think about how to best react to them. After all, it’s not a race.

After you are rested, get your focus back and get that gun up at the ready.

putting that bird in your bag. Push the gun out and up, then step into it. You should be swinging the muzzle in the anticipated direction of the grouse’s flight path while disengaging the safety. A good cheek to stock weld with the butt of the shotgun securely in the pocket of your shoulder is what you should be trying for every time.

As always, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe

were at the plate hitting a fastball. Your brain, eyes and hands all have a naturally built in coordination.

There is no time to aim the bat at the ball, you just hit it. Trying to aim a shotgun at a fast moving target will end in a spent shell with nothing to show for it.

Follow through Are you doing all the right things and still missing the bird? You are most likely stopping the gun as you are preparing to squeeze the trigger. Follow through, as in both shooting clay birds or real ones, is just as important as getting the gun up, pointing and getting ahead. The advantage you gained on that grouse rocket by getting ahead of it is lost when you stop the gun. Be sure to focus on keeping the gun moving as you squeeze the trigger and swing through the target.

key hunting, remember to aim rifles and point shotguns.

When you put a bird up and it is hitting the afterburners, you have to get in front of it before you squeeze the trigger. If you touch off that shotgun while your front bead is on the grouse, your pellets will be where the bird was.

Trust your instinct, point the gun at where the bird John is a Registered is going and get the shot off Maine Guide, an NRA Cerquick. Think of it like you tified Instructor and is the owner of Tucker Ridge Outdoors in Webster Plantation, Maine. He also works as an outdoors writer and can be reached at john@ tuckerridge.me or on Facebook @writerjohnfloyd Huge Selection Of Ammo

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

October 2020

A New Home in the Woods

Here I am in the North Maine Woods, soaking up the dark skies, tranquility and peace. While I had been spending so much time chasing cameras, Katy decided we would move to the North Maine Woods. She presented me with a real estate advertise-

not relevant in a new area.

Food sources change as do travel patterns. Human interaction has a big effect on wildlife movement as well.

This area has some decent size mountains with remote ponds at high elevations, which are good targets for cameras. Beaver

Some of the fun of this new area will be accessing parts that not many people travel to. Our new home is only accessible via boat, snowmobile, and sea plane. Some I will get to by boat or canoe, while others I will drive and hike to. In an area this big I usually

Page 17

What's In Your Woods

by Bud Utecht, Dedham, ME

have in the Maine North Woods. Occasionally I print off topographic maps to have with me, but to be honest I rely on my GPS more than anything in the

the beach more than I do?

(Well I don’t really hang out at the beach anyway.)

So if you love the wilderness and want to get away; look us up and we can

And so the new adventure began.

There are endless lakes, ponds, beaver flowages, and mountains all with wildlife to be explored.

The author discovered that often wildlife spend some time at the beach, too. (Photo by Bud Utecht) ment for a set of sporting camps last fall and off we went. Tucked away on Jo Mary Island west of Millinocket, we purchased Buckhorn Camps in June this year and planted our flag. Thousands of acres of wildlife with incredible remote regions that are just begging me to place cameras. And so the new adventure began. There are endless lakes, ponds, beaver flowages, and mountains all with wildlife to be explored.

I love putting cameras out in Maine because everywhere you go there is something different about the terrain. Some people might think it’s the same everywhere, but when you get out in it you can tell you’re in a totally new environment. Sometimes the tactics used before are

seem to be in the lakes whereas other places they are in the streams with very expansive dams that always produced great pictures.

start with Google Earth and the Maine Gazetteer to find areas where I want to explore. I always have a Gazetteer at home and in my truck, as this is a must

woods. If you’re going to use a GPS I recommend plenty of practice with it before you venture off too far.

Since I’ve been here the wildlife has not let me down capturing great lynx, moose, deer, fisher, marten and many others that have posed for photos.

This is the first place I’ve been able to capture photos of animals on remote sand beaches. Who knew that moose hang out on

spend time together talking game cameras and wildlife.

Bud Utecht is a Register Maine Guide, sporting camp owner, Browning trail camera dealer, and consultant. His trail cameras are strategically placed throughout the Maine Woods. Feel free to email Bud for trail camera tips or to discuss what’s in your woods. bud@whatsinyourwoods.com

HELP US FIND The elusive Northwoods Sporting Journal’s moose Marty.

He has wandered into the northwoods.

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

Keith Brannen

Name

(Marty was found on pg 70)

Address City

Marty

Shown actual size

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

State

Phone I found Marty on page

Zip

Bud Utecht Registered Maine Guide

Trail Camera Consultant (207) 404-1442

Entries must be postmarked by 10/13/20 to be eligible for this issue.

bud@whatsinyourwoods.com

Page 18 Northwoods Sporting Journal

Outdoor Sporting Library

Maybe you stay out in the elements too

by Jeremiah Wood, long, in a state Ashland, ME of shock over Hunting sheep in the he dropped you off and the y o u r h u n t high country is adventure mounting search parties ing partner’s enough on its own, but could find no trace of him death, and you what if a bush pilot dropped or his plane? freeze your you and your partner off The steep rocky ter- feet. In order on a glacier in Alaska’s rain that sheep call home to survive, you Chugach Mountains? How can be extremely hazard- have to am-

The Last Hunt

Think the odds could be stacked any further against survival? How much of a test would it be to stay alive and make it back to civilization on your own?

about if that glacier wasn’t your intended destination, but a forced choice due to bad flying weather? No problem, you’d go about your hunt and the pilot knew where to come and get you at the agreed upon date. But what if the pilot never returned? What if, unbeknownst to you, he never made it home the day

ous. What if, after a successful stalk and shot, you and your hunting buddy are packing a sheep back to camp and he takes a fatal fall down the side of a cliff? These are the days before personal locator beacons and satellite messenger services. You wait for the pilot’s return. Days overdue, he doesn’t show.

putate part of one leg. Food is getting low and you can’t move around very well.

Winter is setting in on the high country, with snows piling up. The food supply is

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October 2020

playing out.

It’s clear that nobody is coming for you. They must assume you went down with the pilot, who remains missing.

Think the odds could be stacked any further against survival? How much of a test would it be to stay alive and make it back to civilization on your own? How unbelievable would it be to beat the odds and get through an entire winter with one leg, some matches and a few rounds of ammunition? How close could you get, and how easy would it be for one slip up to end it all?

Just some things to think about. I’m not saying any of these events took place in Jack Whitman’s 2017 fictional book, “The Last Hunt”. After all, I wouldn’t want to be a spoiler. But if they did, it would make for one heck of a captivating story, with an ending you’d never expect!

J e re m i a h c a n b e reached at jrodwood@ gmail.com. You can find his new book, “Walter Arnold, Maine Trapper: Stories from one of the Last Mountain Men” on Amazon.com

October 2020

News

(Cont. from pg 13) roads as much as possible.

1. Travelers in the North Maine Woods are reporting a significant number of partridge showing up already and word is out on social media.

2. The number of moose permits issued for Wildlife Management Zones 1, 2 and 4 within North Maine Woods has increased by 20% over last year.

3. Gasoline prices have impacted hunting traffic in the past, but prices are close to $2/gallon this year, so many people will road hunt this year.

4. And to top all of that off, other hunters from the U.S. are not allowed to hunt in Canada this year, so more of them will be coming to Maine.

With bear hunting season starting on August 31, a week from Monday, we ask that sportsmen and women help us by: Being Safe and Cooperative at checkpoints.

While employees are wearing masks, and we have created barriers between them and our customers, we need people to help by wearing masks too. NMW hosts hunters from all over the country, even from states with high COVID

207-498-3196 323 SWEDEN ST

Northwoods Sporting Journal rates, so we want to make sure our employees are safe. Please cooperate.

Being Patient at Checkpoints. Many moose hunters are first time visitors to NMW, so it takes more time for our staff to register them than it does our regular customers.

Driving safely. Increased hunter traffic on roads will impact workers and logging truck drivers.

Please pull over whenever you meet them and do not leave vehicles in the middle of the road when chasing partridge or moose!

Being responsible when dressing out game.

Please do not clean birds or moose at our campsites or leave moose paunches in the roadway.

Page 19

With your under- can enjoy working and Respecting other Users. Trapping is perfectly standing, patience and recreating in the North acceptable in the NMW. cooperation, everyone Maine Woods this fall.

Tampering with someTIME TO SELL SOME OF THAT SPORTING one else’s trap or with an EQUIPMENT OR ANYTHING THAT YOU’VE GOT animal in a trap is a felony COLLECTING DUST! offense.

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 20

Aroostook Woods & Water

by Mike Maynard, Perham, ME You know, as a kid I never liked the fall much.

But, as we do, I grew into it. Fall for me, always marked the end of another fishing season, and as a kid, I lived to fish. Then slowly, as I grew older, and was given more and more leeway to go afield with gun in hand, I began to really appreciate the season for what it was. Not just for the hunting opportunities, but for the changes that were occurring right before my eyes. Walking the old stone

walls, you could, literally, smell the grapes growing on the vine. Now, if you asked me whether October, 1st or April, 1st was my favorite day of the year, I couldn’t give you an honest answer. Age and experiences will do that to you.

This October has me a little concerned. We’ve had a serious lack of water here in the County all year long. It started with a less than stellar snow pack and never got much better.

Spring showed up for a day

The Grouse Woods

or two in late May and then immediately segued into Death Valley north. Like it or not, we’re in a serious

and thick enough to lose a good dog in, turned anemic and wilted down like hot lettuce under a noonday

drought, and it’s going to affect our bird population.

This year the leaves on the poplar and birch were so stressed by the lack of water that they started turning and shedding leaves by early August.

The roadside vegetation that normally stays green

sun. In a normal season, right about now, we’re hoping for a killing frost and then a good hard rain to tumble more leaves out of the branches.

The woodland infrastructure needs a steady infusion of water all year long to keep the machine

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humming along smoothly.

Even minimal amounts, if steady, are enough to help maintain a forests equilib-

This year the leaves on the poplar and birch were so stressed by the lack of water that they started turning and shedding leaves by early August. The roadside vegetation that normally stays green and thick enough to lose a good dog in…..

Aroostook County

` Sidewalk Cafe

October 2020

rium. The trees that grouse rely upon for survival are stressed to the point that they’re budding out sooner rather than later. And while this may be a boon for the early season bird, it doesn’t bode well for winter survival when the birds will need the nutrition the most.

They tell us that grouse populations are cyclical. A ten-year cycle seems to be the consensus.

It may well be true, but speaking only for myself, I haven’t seen an appreciable downturn in a long time, so we may be due. Others have told me that the birds just aren’t around like they used to be. A biologist told me last fall that due to heavy logging pressure in some areas, birds, and hunters, had been pushed out of their comfort zones and thus, hunters were tripping over each other in search of new ground.

I ran into a traffic jam a time or two last year. It didn’t rise to the level of combat fishing in Pulaski in October, but it wasn’t far off either. It served to send me deeper into the woods.

Well, what can you do. Be prepared and hope the birds show up. Do your homework, get off the beaten path and ‘boldly go’ as the Trekkies say. As for me, I think this is the perfect year for me to practice some (Grouse cont. pg 21)

October 2020

Grouse

(Cont. from pg 20) grouse conservation measures; I’m going to round ball em’.

I’ve always wanted to hunt birds with a traditional muzzle loader, and this seems like a good time to scratch that itch. I wish I had a smooth bore to take with me into the woods, but I don’t. What I do have are a couple of nicely put together Mowrey’s, Indiana vintage. One in .50 caliber dress and the other, a smokin’ hot little tiger stripe maple stocked number in .45 that will curl your toes.

I love the traditional look of the Mowrey, it appeals to my sense of history and my desire to use a traditional weapon during the ‘traditional’ portion of the season. Don’t mistake that last sentence as a condemnation of modern in-lines, it isn’t; I just really like the old stuff. Speaking of the old stuff, I was given the opportunity several years ago to shoulder an authentic revolutionary war- era Brown Bess. The rifle had a provenance proving its

Northwoods Sporting Journal

use at the battle of Bunker Hill by a British soldier who survived, and then realized that working for Good King George wasn’t his cup of tea. I desperately wanted to fire a round from that gun but of course that wasn’t going to happen.

Back to the 21st century…

As we all know, trying to shoot bird shot out of a rifled gun is problematic at best. I knew that, and I still tried it. My wife is mumbling something about being hard headed, but that isn’t the word she’s using.

The twist on the Mowrey isn’t severe, 1-64 with a 31.5” barrel, but it still

makes a mess out of lead.

It tears the shot up and spins it out the end of the barrel to leave weird and sometimes nonexistent patterns in my cardboard target grouse. It’s a pain to clean up afterwards, too. So I went back to round balls and the .45, and a smaller charge of powder to push them. I’m not going to be trying to shoot birds with this thing much beyond 20-25 yards or so, and there won’t be any wing shots in my future. After a lot of messing around, I think I have a handle on this.

I certainly don’t expect to limit out using a

muzzle loader. I’ll settle for a couple of well-placed head shots over the course of the season. If nothing else, using a traditional rifle should really give me a better appreciation of just what our ancestors went through to put supper on the table. Have a great season!

Mike Maynard is a part time farmer, grandfather of several, and an incorrigible water logged stream rat -soon to be a briar scarred covert crawler.

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

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

On The Prowl

by Justin Merrill, Cherryfield, ME “Want to go coyote hunting with daddy”? I asked my seven year old son Bryson. Without hesitation he said, “Yes! Get yote, get yote”! Bryson has been showing lots of interest in hunting while tagging along on turkey, deer, bear, squirrel and coyote hunts.

On this day we tried our luck with coyote.

Bryson and I ducked down under branches as we crept quietly into the dark shadows of the trees.

We sat down on padded

seat cushions and leaned up against the trunk of a big white pine. Our view consisted of a wooded clearing on the edge of a wetland with a meandering brook running through this picture perfect scene. I’ve shot at coyote here in the past. Bryson and I placed the electronic caller (ecaller) 100 yards up wind from our location so that an approaching coyote will circle down wind of the e-caller and not us. That is always the hope. Ten min-

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October 2020

Introducing our Youth

utes passed since the last call and Bryson, being only seven, was already getting antsy. Luckily I brought his Kindle to help keep him still and quiet. I hit play on my remote and after about thirty seconds I paused the call. A few minutes later Bryson perked up...

“What was that”?

Bryson whispered!

I looked to him and saw the wide glassy eyes staring hard to his right.

I heard the rustling and cracking. He whispers softly, “is it a coyote? I’m scared”! I assured him there was nothing to be afraid of. With Bryson leaning into me I catch a

glimpse of something dark moving closer. It’s not a coyote.

“Look Bryson! It’s a cow moose”! I whispered.

He quickly sat up to get a good look. The moose strolled by us at only fifty yards. Bryson turned to me and said, “Moose! Daddy, it’s a moose, look daddy, look”! I have never seen him more excited until that moment. It was priceless and all caught on film.

I’ve been doing my best to get Bryson and other youth outdoors hunting with me every chance I get.

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rently sixteen, who loves to go hunting. Dustin, another gentlemen that is currently thirteen, has been on deer, turkey and bear hunts with me. My best friend, Jason Coombs, also takes his fair share of youth out fishing and hunting.

Dustin had a close encounter with the Eastern wild turkey while hunting

It’s imperative that all adult hunters introduce youth and any newcomer to the sport of hunting. The majority of the hunting community is made up of middle aged and older folks that soon lose interest or the drive to go. with me. I’ll never underestimate the keen eyesight of a wild turkey again! Dustin learned a great deal and had a blast. When I asked what he was thinking, his reply was, “wild turkey dinner on the dinner table”. Now, that’s a true hunter. He has been coyote hunting and bear hunting with me. He, too, got to shoot a porcupine and he told me how much fun he had. Dustin had also shot a few squirrels in the past.

It’s imperative that all adult hunters introduce youth and any newcomer to the sport of hunting.

The majority of the hunting community is made up of middle aged and older folks that soon lose interest or the drive to go. To keep our beloved sport alive we need to help give younger (Youth cont. pg 30)

October 2020

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Moose Poachers Prosecuted The September week moose hunt of 2018 had brought warm, hot temperatures to Wildlife Management District 2 and many of the hunters I had encountered griped about the weather and lack of moose sightings. This

ing away the remnants of my lunch, “…Houlton to 2255”. I answered the dispatcher and she soon advised that an Irving Woodlands forester had just located a dead cow moose in Township 14 Range 9. I was familiar with this area

pieces of evidence to link the responsible party to this cow moose. By the end of the first day, we felt like we had struck out. No shells, no bullets and no leads and a dead cow moose that had been shot once in the head and left to rot.

Several pieces of evidence had been collected however, including boot prints in the fresh mud which showed that the hunters had

After three consecutive days of searching and cutting into rotted moose carcasses we had finally found a key piece of evidence. K-9 Yaro and his handler, Warden Paul Farrington assisted us and helped locate a single shell casing that had been hiding

Page 23

Warden’s Words

by Game Warden Kale O’Leary, Ashland, ME

third moose but did not have adequate gear to properly retrieve this moose and therefore left a third moose to simply rot. They would end their “hunt” by killing a fourth and final moose, a nice 55-inch bull, which was eventually tagged.

These two hunters

After three consecutive days of searching and cutting into rotted moose carcasses we had finally found a key piece of evidence. K-9 Yaro and his handler, Warden Paul Farrington assisted us and helped locate a single shell casing that had been hiding in tall grass along the roadside. walked up to and inspected the dead cow before leaving the area. This made it apparently obvious that the hunters at least knew they had killed the cow.

The following day we returned, this time with full coffee mugs, more latex gloves and sharper knives.

As we began our work that morning, we observed several crows and ravens feeding on something at the back of this large clear cut. About 300 yards past this cow moose, we found a juvenile, “spike” bull that had also been shot and left.

We determined the decomposition matched that of the cow and assumed they had been shot near the same time by the same party who now appeared to be on a killing spree.

The evidence that stood up in court against the moose poachers. week was the “bulls only” and wasn’t very far away. week, meaning hunters had I put my truck in gear and their sights set on antlered started west on the Jacques moose only.

Ouellette Road.

It was my second full I arrived on scene year as a Game Warden and thanked the observant and my first moose hunt forester for calling in his “on my own”. My first findings. Without responmoose season consisted of sible outdoors-people like supervision and guidance this, we often only find the to ensure I didn’t forget scenes much later and risk my shiny Danner boots, let losing crucial evidence to alone step all over critical decomposition and predaevidence with them! tors.

I had just finished eatI dove right in along ing my lunch on this par- with help from two fellow ticular afternoon at the Fish game wardens, NichoLake campsite and remem- las Raymond and Kayle ber thinking to myself at Hamilton. Together we that moment…”so far, this scoured the scene before has been a slow day”. By us, searching for bits and the end of that week I was wishing I had kept quiet!

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in tall grass along the roadside. This was our golden ticket in an otherwise hopeless sea of blowflies and maggots.

Before long we had narrowed our sights on a suspected party and interviewed the permitee and sub-permitee at their residences in central Maine.

We learned that the hunters began by shooting at the spike bull and cow, accidentally striking the cow moose in the large clear cut where I had spent so much of my time. The shooters, knowing they had made a mistake, left the area to avoid detection leaving behind both moose to waste.

The following day they mortally wounded a

eventually plead guilty to their crimes and each hunter spent seven days in jail, paid $3,000 dollars in fines and lost all hunting privileges for 5 years along with the rifles used during the hunt and the moose they had tagged and processed.

In no way shape or form are these two negligent hunters a reflection of the general hunting population that I have come to know, but instead a rare exception. This was a case that I will always remember for the hard work involved, the teamwork in between, and holding intentional violators accountable for their disregard for our valuable resources.

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

October 2020

Question Of The Month October 2020

Mountain Lions in Maine? These Witnesses Think So! Editor’s note: Our cougar sighting article of July contained mountain lion sighting accounts from a number of Mainers. The following additional sighting reports came in after the July publication went to press.

I’m Steve Nissley from Sherman. I am a Reg. Maine Guide. We have a small family sport camp here in Sherman (Katahdin Valley Outfitters) and another son has one in New Brunswick Canada (Bear Country Lodge and Guide Service) in Limestone NB. I picked up a Northwoods Sporting Journal at Steaks and Stuff in Lincoln this evening. I saw your article about mountain lion sightings. I have seen one. We had a neighbor who had car trouble on Route 2 about half way between Macwahoc and Silver Ridge.

He hitched a ride back to the house and was able to have someone get the part he needed. Then he called me and asked me if I could take him back to his car.

My wife went with us and we were almost to his car in Nine Mile Woods when we saw the cat. I hollered at both of them to look at what was on the road. It was just sitting there until we were almost on it, then it jumped off the road and into the woods. It was a big sandy-colored cat with a long tail. I told Oscar Cronk about this. It was probably 25 years ago now.

I’m responding to your note in the Northwoods Sporting Journal regarding mountain lion sightings in Maine. My

sighting was just five years ago but not quite in Maine.

It was just over the border in Millsfield Pond / Errol NH. My wife and I were ATVing and I came around a sharp corner just as it crossed the trail. Unfortunately my wife was just far enough on her machine that she didn’t see it.

I’m a life-long outdoorsman and hunter. This wasn’t a coyote, fox or bobcat. - C.R. Grant Fred Olson from Greenbush. Saw a mountain lion on East Ridge Rd about 2 p.m. on a bright sunny day last fall. He recalls that the cat had a long tail and was tawny colored.

Bob Blair, a Maine fishing guide, who lives in Rowley, MA and Portage, Me. In the fall of 1986 in the middle of the day on the Lyford Ponds road, a large cat bounded in front of his pickup truck at a distance of no moire than 10 feet! He says that it was sandy-colored with a long tail, and was definitely a mountain lion.

Chris Boone, a retired biologist with California Fish and Game and a longtime Maine deer hunter, was driving slow on the Pleasant Lake Rd (neat West Grand lake) last summer. In a ditch at about 15 feet was a black mountain lion with a long tail. It bounded off. Boone says that he and his deerhunting buddy have seen over the years a couple of large (black) cats that he knows were lions. Boone worked with mountain lion

projects for Fish and Game back in 1881, and it was in California. stuffed and put on display at the TV History Museum Florence Donovan of in Montpelier. I saw that North Vassalboro about 20 display several times when years ago saw a mountain I was in school, and visited lion on Route 16 not far the museum a couple of from Abbott village. She times as an adult. I know says, “I was going about 30 what they look like…peomph when out of a field to ple have tried to tell me my left was what I believe that it was a dog, or a lynx, was a cougar. Two leaps or even a bobcat. No. I’ve and it was on the other side seen all those, too. of the road, running into a Wi t h i t s r e d d i s h grove of pine trees. What brown coat, black tipped a beautiful creature! I will tail & ears, it was the most never forget this.” impressive cat I’ve ever seen in the wild, and I’ll Timothy Curtis of never forget it.

Baileyville and his cousin - Pat Oftedal, saw a mountain lion on the Eastport, ME Stud Mill Road in October of 2008. The critter crossed I just read your arthe road at distance of ticle on mountain lions in about 75 yards, says Curtis. Maine. I saw a black one It had a long “sweeping in Charleston last year in tail.” Curtis is a logger and a corn field. I was riding avid hunter. He has also a bike with our neighbor seen a second cougar on when I spotted the large the same road at a different cat sunning itself in the time. Curtis shares these morning sun. I called to stories in their entirety in my friend to come back as last month’s Question of she had already rode past the Month. the cat. The cat stared right I live in Eastport, Me, back at us for a few minutes but my family is in Ver- and tried to make itself mont, so I travel Route 2 a sick into the earth to cover lot. Coming back from Ver- itself. The cat was 50 yards mont, on June 20, 2016, I from us. It was in a sitting had just passed through position when first spotted East Dixfield, when a and then walked 2 yards to mountain lion crossed the woods. This was by a Route 2 in front of my car. power line and lots of baby It loped across the pave- fawn’s to eat in the area. ment, then paused, looked My cousin lives in St. Agover its shoulder, and trot- atha and has seen a brown ted into the brush. It was cat and other’s have seen a so close, I had to brake to black cat. Sorry no photos, avoid hitting it. It was noon we had left them at home on a bright and sunny day, as not to lose them. I did and there’s no doubt in my go back and take photo’s of mind… paw print. The tail was as long as it’s body. Once in a When Vermont’s last life time experience. mountain lion was killed - Collette Simmons

Pamela Kriegel, of Winslow says that she saw a mountain lion cross the Togus Road in Augusta recently on her way to work.

Chris Longley, a second generation guide from Albany Township (near Bethel), a few years ago says she had a lion cross the Hunt’s Corner Road in front of her vehicle and bound across the road into the woods, in two leaps.

She said it was a sandy color with a tail as long as the cat itself. “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing, but there was no question,” she recalls.

Most definitely there are cougars in Maine. My husband and I saw one in Penobscot mousing/hunting in a field on the Dunbar road in Penobscot in 1978.

Also saw one inTWP 29 in 1990. No mistaking these 2 cats. They were up close and no denying their shape and long tails.

- Linda Thurlow I just read your article, and said, finally, someone will believe me! In 2007, I was coming home from work, early fall, around 5 p.m. I am an RN, living off the Watson Pond Road, in Rome. A large cat, at least as big as a St. Bernard dog crossed the road, 20 feet in front of me. It was dark almost black, with markings like a leopard, but you could clearly see the markings. It had a large head long body and very long tail. It took its time crossing in front of me and I slowed down, clearly not afraid of (Question cont. pg 27)

October 2020

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Camp Adventures in Maine

Maine’s iconic wilderness is in fact frontier land.

Its vast wilderness was always accessible through the generosity of many private land owners such as logging companies, forest

ing in Maine’s outback.

As fall arrives in Maine, so does the beautiful colors and dangerous cold, wet weather. Most of us will agree that we don’t mind being cold or wet,

• Have a means of outside contact in case of an emergency • Get a weather report and be prepared for bad weather • Always share an outing with a buddy or hire a reputable Maine registered guide.

Here is a starter list of things to think about before you set out to enjoy that nice,

Page 25

Maine Outdoor Adventure

• Food – hydrated and dehydrated dry foods, snickers bars, trail mix • Water – Nalgene bottle with purification system / tablets • Spare prescriptions – eye glasses, applicable medications • Map of your area of activity, GPS, Compass,

by Rich Yvon, Bradford, ME consider before a purchase.

For most folks, camping on weekends and vacations, a light, waterproof, breathable, synthetic tent will do just fine. The outfitter or outdoorsman, who will have extended stays in the wilderness will sometimes choose a canvas tent. These canvas tents can have all

It is absolutely vital for good land owner relations and imperative that all people give respect to the land, land owners and fellow outdoorsmen if we are to retain our privileges we currently enjoy.

The Maine outdoors is full of breathtaking panoramas like this. (Photo by Rich Yvon) management companies and private individuals.

For many generations traditional activities such as hunting, fishing, trapping and snowmobiling have been enjoyed by generations of people. Maine is approximately 93% private land, but on a positive note, remote primitive camping is still alive and well.

Presently, there are still land owners that will allow public access to enjoy traditional activities including primitive camping. It is absolutely vital for good land owner relations and imperative that all people give respect to the land, land owners and fellow outdoorsmen if we are to retain our privileges we currently enjoy.

Camping in Maine can always be a challenge especially when ill prepared. In fact, hypothermia is a possibility year round and caution should always be taken when adventur-

we just don’t like being cold and wet at the same time! In order to keep safe out there, I’ve put together a must have list in hopes that it will help someone stay safe and better enjoy year round outdoor camping adventures. Here are some things to consider for keeping safe in Maine’s unforgiving environment...

• Put together a must -have list • Let your people know where you will be

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• Shelter, sleeping bag, ground pad • Tarp and rope • LED lights and extra batteries • Breathable clothes worn in layers • Boots – breathable and waterproof.

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• Flagging tape, sharpy, survival knife • Water proof matches with tinder (drier lint, cotton balls covered in petroleum jelly) Shelters – can be as basic as a tarp. Setting up a properly constructed tarp on an uphill side of a clearing near water will do the trick!

Tents also come in every shape, size and color for ground and suspended applications. So where do we start? Canvas or synthetic are two options to

benefits of a synthetic tent with much more room and few more options such as a wood stove or big dining table. Never store a wet tent for any long period of time.

Any shelter you choose should be accompanied by a ground cover.

Sleeping - in the outdoors can be either awesome or downright miserable! Sleeping bags come in all different sizes and materials. In my experience camping in the woods, I would recommend syn(Maine cont. pg 26)

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 26

Maine

warmth but heavy and hard to dry out when wet. A good, well-built synthetic (Cont. from pg 25) bag that fits your body thetic sleeping bags over style and size is best in natural materials such as my experience. They are down. Down is great for generally light, easy to dry

when wet and warm. As we all get older staying off the ground becomes more of a necessity. Staying off the ground comes in all different flavors such as hammocks, suspended tents and

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Keeping things on the light side seems to be a foremost of importance to most folks whether your hiking, flying, or over land

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As more folks these days take to the woods, there are more chances for accidents and mishaps.

Some planning and safeguards can prove to be very beneficial and even life-saving. I hope everyone gets a chance to enjoy the great outdoors and possibly pass on our American outdoor heritage to our younger generation.

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Question (Cont. from pg 24)

my car. I think it was coming up from the lake, Long Pond. It continued up the mountain toward the blueberry hills. The next day, I called fish and game at the state house, they said they didn’t think we should be concerned, that mountain lions have ranges of hundreds of miles and there were none in our area.

Hello! I really enjoyed your article on cougar sightings!

I have two sightings to report, very sure about these!

On the Rice Rips Road in Oakland, behind Colby College, my father was working in his strawberry fields at Hosea’s Strawberry Farm, years ago, and he was bent over working in the fields, when he heard and sensed something running to him, and before (thank the Lord) he could stand and react, it jumped over him! The cougar kept running and Dad saw a large yellow cougar, long tail, running away ! So happy he did not stand!

He was bent over and the cougar was running and just jumped over him! Dad told us all about it!

- Julie Gee Belgrade I live on 167 Dexter Farm Drive off Rte 15 in Deer Isle. About three summers ago, about 2 in the afternoon, I was driving down our mile long drive when I saw what I am sure was a cougar. I posted my sighting on my facebook page, and if you are good at finding old posts you can see it. As I remember, it was tawny, about 6 feet long, nose to tail, about 3034 inches high. The tail was

Northwoods Sporting Journal

about 30 inches. The head was VERY small. I looked online afterwards and saw that female cougars do have very small heads. It was about 50 feet from the front of my car and running across the road.

A few years before that, coming home from Sullivan about 10 p.m. on a bright, moonlit night in winter with snow on the ground, I saw what I thought was a lynx cross the road on Rte 15 between Ellsworth and Blue Hill. It looked very boxy, tall, and short from shoulder to hip.

No tail.

So, I believe I have seen both a cougar and lynx, and they are different, the cougar long and low with an abnormally small head. The lynx, short and tall.

-Jane McCloskey Deer Isle, ME I just finished reading V. Paul Reynolds’ column on whether mountain lion sightings are real. Funny thing is my Facebook memory from 6 years ago was that I had a mountain lion on my front lawn. I was in my living room looking out my picture window and saw it come across the lawn. Which 15 minutes prior to that a deer had come through that exact spot. My husband and I both watched the big cat as its long tail waved back and forth. The next day, I called and reported seeing it to a local game warden.

I was told I saw a bobcat or lynx. When I kept repeating that the tail was as long as the body of the cat the game warden told me it was probably the cat’s leg. I know what I saw. Anyway, I enjoyed your column very much.

-Mary LaPointe Rumford, ME

My boyfriend and I both saw a mountain lion about 16 years ago in Canaan, Maine. We were in our truck and saw the tail, we stopped then we’re able to see it in the tall grass field. We weren’t able to get a picture of it as a truck was coming up the road and spooked it. It was a cool sighting! This was on the Hubbard Rd near Sibley Pond.

-Sandy Horton -Louie Mullaney Canaan, Me

I read your column in The Somerset Express about Maine mountain lion sightings. About a year ago I spotted, what appeared to me to be a mountain lion on a dirt road just west of Anson, off of HWY 148.

At first I thought it was a bobcat but it had a long tail.

It was bounding through woods coming from my left and crossed in front of me and kept travelling through the woods to my right. I got a pretty good look at it and it certainly looked like a big cat. Tan in color and travelling fast.

Not a bobcat or a house cat.

Just thought I would share my sighting with you.

-Pete Hunter, Embden Back in 1998, I was working out of Chip’s Maine Bush Camps on Moosehead- I ran the 26ft. Navy whaleboat Vesole out to Mt. Kineo from Rockwood. As I drove up to Greenville, I approached the Shirley Bog. A creature crossed the road in front of me. It had that cherry, tawny color that deer have in the spring and I assumed it was a deer. .But when I looked down in the alders, I saw a creature with a 4-foot long tail! It most assuredly was a moun-

Page 27

tain lion..Around the same time, a woman in Wayne took half a dozen pictures of a cougar in her backyard garden- nobody thought much about it.

-Stuart Smith

overlooking our large parking area. I happened to look up and sauntering through the parking area was a very large cat. I was looking down from the second story, but I guessed the cat to be close to waist About a year ago, I high because it was near a was sitting in my house, car. Unfortunately, I was which is surrounded by so stunned by what I was forest and wooded area, on MDI facing a window (Question cont. pg 41)

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Page 28

Anticosti

by Mark Cote, Rumford, ME After weighing all the possibilities, Sepaq (Anticosti) made the difficult decision to terminate reservations for all United States residents. I guess we knew it was coming.

This weekend I had the pleasure of interviewing Robin Plante, the director of Sepaq Anticosti. “We really had no choice at this point.” Robin began, “For a lot of our American friends, a trip to Anticosti is a once in a lifetime experience.”

Siting recent events, Robin continued, “The Canadian border opening schedule has been extended

October 2020

Border Closing Impacts Sepaq to the island. It just doesn’t make sense.”

American hunters account for twenty five percent of Sepaq’s business.

I asked Robin if Sepaq would be able to stay in business with a sharp decline in reservations.

eight empty spots. As of now, we have filled one hundred six of them and we expect to fill more of them.

I expect November will be full, especially during the rut.” he explained.

Another thing that helped filling the empty

“We really had no choice at this point.” Robin began, “For a lot of our American friends, a trip to Anticosti is a once in a lifetime experience.”

several times already and the fourteen day quarantine is still in effect. It is highly unlikely that our guests would stay in a hotel room eating room service three meals a day for two weeks before boarding our plane

“Actually, Quebec residents are filling most of the void. For example, last month we made the decision to cancel September and October stays for Americans. That meant we had one hundred forty-

spots is the second largest outfitter on the island, Safari Anticosti, canceled the season in its entirety.

Not just for US guests, they simply closed the doors for the year for everyone.

One’s loss is another’s

gain.

As of this writing, Covid 19 has infected a relatively low number; 62,746 Quebec residents. New Brunswick has reported only 192 cases. A recent survey of Canadian residents indicated that more than eighty percent wanted the border to remain closed until the virus gets under control.

In my opinion, Sepaq has done a very good job handling this situation.

Robin added, “I want you to assure your readers that nobody will lose their money. If a guest wants a (Sepaq cont. pg 30)

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October 2020

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 29

Hiking for Grouse

I do not own a bird dog, and driving the gravel roads for ruffed grouse, known as “partridge” to many Mainers, has never

my trusty Delorme Atlas & Gazetteer, I search out old skidder trails, overgrown logging roads, and the edges of power lines;

the treelines bordering recent cuts, where dense, thorny patches of raspberries, blackberries, and other brambles have sprung up.

These areas tend to deter many hunters and, as a result, often hold quite a few birds.

The sheer simplicity of a grouse hike might be its greatest appeal.

Maine Tails

By Jonah Paris, Scarborough, ME in the morning darkness, then remain both silent and motionless in hopes of a deer passing by the stand.

I enjoy waterfowl hunting and like many of us, big bucks haunt my dreams,

importantly, it allows for any frost to melt. When the ground thaws, the birds drop down to sun themselves.

I carry my shotgun in my hands and a pack on

The sheer simplicity of a grouse hike might be its greatest appeal. The financial investment, preparation time, and the required gear are minimal. This method of upland hunting is perfect for introducing a beginner to the sport.

The financial investment, preparation time, and the required gear are minimal.

This method of upland hunting is perfect for introducing a beginner to the sport. There’s no need to wake during the nonhuman hours, struggle into The author enjoys a hike through the a pair of leaky waders, and Maine grouse woods. lug a decoy bag through (Photo courtesy of Jonah Paris.) the falling sleet to arrive at appealed to me. Instead, I places where a pickup truck the duck blind before first lace up my boots, stuff my or Jeep might run into some light. There’s no need to pockets full of shells, and trouble. I never overlook creep through the woods hike for my birds. Though not as traditional nor effective as running a spirited spaniel through the birches, and certainly more exhausting than cruising for “road birds,” there are few things I enjoy more than a hike through the Maine grouse woods.

The majority of my grouse hikes take place in the DownEast high country, the vast expanse of land east of Bangor stretching over the hills into Washington County, and in Somerset County west of Route 201. My goal this fall is to locate some promising grouse cover in the southern part of the state.

Utilizing both satellite imagery (Google Earth) and

but the leisure of a grouse hike is certainly a welcome attribute.

My grouse hikes typically begin between eight and nine o’clock in the morning. This not only allows for a reasonable wake up time, but more

my back. My pack contains a GPS, binoculars, safety equipment (compass, map, knives, flashlight, whistle, rope, fire starter, etc.), as well as extra shells (size 6 or 7.5), several water bottles, and my lunch.

(Grouse cont. pg 30)

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Youth (Cont. from pg 22) generations memorable experiences that will motivate them to continue participating. Hunting is the most important tool for wildlife conservation. All animals, including us, will be adversely affected by the lack of. There is hope.

In the last several years our women and children hunters have been flooding the gates. Thanks to many influential women in the industry taking conversion to a whole new level.

I personally don’t want to lose hunting anytime soon.

I hope I do my part and that you do, too.

Justin has his Wildlife Biology Degree from Unity College and is a member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association (NEOWA). He has authored two books and working on a third. He is the founder of WMO MEDIA’S web based TV show, “SPIKES and GILLS”. You can learn more by visiting www.WildMaineOutdoors.com

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(Cont. from pg 28) refund, we will give him or her back one hundred percent of their money. If they want to leave their money on account with us, they will be allowed to resume their reservation for next season.”

When a hunter completes their hunt, they are allowed to re-book for the following year at the same camp and date if they choose, before offering it to someone else. It is one of the reasons Sepaq has so many guests that come

October 2020

year after year.

One thing that surprised me was Sepaq will allow a partial refund if things are tight due to Covid 19. They will give some back now and bill for it next year. I look at that as a great way to help their clientele through a tough time. I tip my hat to them.

For more information on an Anticosti stay, or to discuss your options on your existing reservation, call my friends at the reservation desk at 1-800463-0863.

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Grouse (Cont. from pg 29) Grouse hikes have become a family outing.

Ashley, though not a hunter herself, often accompanies me, armed with her Nikon camera to capture any wildlife and the vibrant autumn foliage. Aurora, the beagle, harnessed on a long leash, typically joins in for the exercise as well - and she’s always ready to take off after any hares we might jump. We break for a picnic in the afternoon. After five or six miles of hiking, a turkey sandwich, apple, and a handful of cookies is a feast. Even the little hound receives a few Milk-Bones.

Many times I arrive back at my truck late in the afternoon having logged nine to twelve miles through some of Maine’s most beautiful country.

Perhaps I manage a bird or two - or maybe I shot at and missed my targets.

Although my mouth waters over roasted grouse stuffed with apples and smothered with fresh herbs, an empty game pouch really doesn’t bother me. My feet are sore, my body is tired, and my mind is refreshed. And yet, even after such a day in the woods, and even if I do manage to harvest a few birds for the dinner table, there’s always a tinge of sadness as the sun drops lower; we know that, despite our pleading, October never lasts long enough.

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

October 2020

Northwoods Sporting Journal

The ATV Boom

According to a recent news story that I saw, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a large influx of new ATV owners. People who can’t travel and enjoy many of the other summertime pursuits and still want to enjoy outdoor sports, are turning to ATV riding. In

mer down”.

Enjoy the ride and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

ATV riding is a rider-active operation and being able to judge safe speeds for the trail conditions and terrain only comes with experience. Take an ATV Safe Operator Class so that you

accidents being reported in the news this year than in past years. Another reason why 2020 will not go down as one of our best.

August was a particularly bad month for ATV accidents across New England with numerous fatalities.

We read about three people killed in separate ATV accidents in Maine, all on one day of the August 22-23 weekend. In all 3 of those accidents, the people

Page 31

The Trail Rider

by Rod Fraser, Hyde Park, MA Fort Kent. With the exception of the Starksboro accident, the rest were all single-vehicle accidents.

According to news reports, speed was a contributing factor. Along with the deaths reported, there were many other accidents this summer across New Eng-

things that come with experience. So slow down, wear a helmet, enjoy the day, gain experience, and return home safely. Pretty soon, the snow will be here and we will be snowmobiling! Please email me at rjfraserjrusn@yahoo.com with any good riding sto-

This summer, we have seen some very bad ATV accidents. It certainly seems like there are more accidents being reported in the news this year than in past years. Another reason why 2020 will not go down as one of our best.

New Hampshire, industry experts are seeing a lot of new riders entering the sport of ATV riding. Some dealers have sold out of new machines and ATV rental businesses were selling out on the weekends.

Although this is good for the sport and they support community, new riders bring inexperience. If you are a new rider, please don’t be tempted to “ham-

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start out with a good understanding of how to operate the machine properly and safely. Operating an ATV is not like driving a car.

Wear a helmet and other protective gear. We want you all to enjoy yourselves in a safe and responsible manner.

This summer, we have seen some very bad ATV accidents. It certainly seems like there are more

were not wearing helmets.

Earlier in August, a woman was killed in an accident near Lincoln. In Vermont, two young men were killed in Starksboro when they drove onto a paved route and were struck by a pickup truck. Neither was wearing a helmet. In these accidents, helmets may not have saved their lives, but maybe they would have and, in my opinion, it makes sense to wear one.

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

The Buck Hunter

by Hal Blood, Moose River, ME It seems like the hot summer jumped right into fall overnight. We went from running the air conditioner to turning on the heat at night, all within a week.

As I write this column, the

a long cold winter. We have not had a frost as of yet, but it had been down into the 30’s several nights. Such is life in the north country, but I would not trade it for anywhere else. The cooler

October 2020

Getting Ready For The Big Hunt

many grouse as this year.

I have even been seeing them in places that I rarely ever see them. Get ready, as I think the fall hunting seasons here in Maine are going to be great ones, no matter what you are hunting.

Do not wait until the last minute to purchase any new hunting equipment or

tant to me as any hunting gear, so I always keep at least two new pair on hand.

My wool dot grip gloves are another thing that I do not want to be without. I have been wearing them for thirty years and over that time I always had trouble finding them and when I did, I would buy 5-10 pair at a time. They

body as there is not much for natural food. The flip side to it though is the hound hunters’ season will be short lived in the north country, as they will be denned up early. The first moose season this year falls perfectly timed for the rut, so the bulls should be stomping around right from the beginning. Next

By the time you read this, the soft layer of velvet covering the antlers of the bucks and bulls will have been shed and they are ready to battle it out for the favor of their female counterparts.

first of September, the daytime temperature has only cracked 70 a couple times in the past week, and it does not look like it will crack 70 for the next ten days.

The foliage has started to turn ahead of schedule, and I think it is due to the dry summer. The splendor of these fall colors is God’s gift to us, as he knew we would then have to endure

weather has got the game moving around again and it is good to see the animals out and about in my travels. Baiting bear one morning, I saw 6 deer, two of which were fawns with their mothers. Opening day of bear season, I counted 8 moose while putting hunters out and picking them up. I cannot remember a year that I have seen as

clothing. The Covid virus has affected the manufacturing of a lot of items.

There is nothing worse than running around the last minute trying to find a pair of boots in your size or finding out that they are backordered on every website you try. I am a creature of habit when it comes to my clothing and gear and am reluctant to try new things when something fits or wears right for me. I usually try to buy extras when I order something, so I never run out or get caught short if I lose something. Wool socks are about as impor-

were always hard to find and the stores never carried them for long. Maybe they just did not catch on with enough hunters for the stores to keep stocking them. I finally solved the problem a couple years ago by going to the manufacturer and started selling them on our Big Woods Bucks website. There is nothing more comfortable on the hands than those knit wool gloves with the rubber dots for grip. Order yourself a pair or two and you will see what I mean.

It looks to be a bangup bear season for every-

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to chasing big bucks in the snow, calling in moose, is what I live for. There is just something about interacting with an animal of that size and fooling him into believing that I am his next true love. All these fall activities are just the prelude and getting in shape for the deer season. Just being in the Maine woods in the fall bring a kind of peace and solitude that most people never get to experience or would even understand.

By the time you read this, the soft layer of velvet covering the antlers of the bucks and bulls will have been shed and they are ready to battle it out for the favor of their female counterparts. The strongest of them will spread their genes to the next generation, and so the cycle of life in the forest continues.

Until next month, “Good luck on the trail”!

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

October 2020

Northwoods Sporting Journal Guns & Ammo:

The .27 Nosler Blazing Performance

Many shooters and hunters are performance chasers. Velocity junkies.

These folks are constantly looking for the perfect hunting and long-range cartridge. For some people, the .27 Nosler is that cartridge. The .277 diameter round has long been a favorite for deer hunters, sheep hunters and longrange western hunters in general. The .270 is considered the minimal caliber for large game like elk. The late, great Jack O’Connor considered the .270 Win-

A Guide’s Perspective

by Tom Kelly, that you need no holdover Orient, ME for that distant mule deer buck. It also means that The .27 Nosler opens up a .277 caliber that was new, larger or longer game marginal for elk, is now harvest options. It also opens up some rather exciting range sessions from a performance standpoint.

While we are on the subject of excitement at the range, take a kid or a new shooter with you. Let them in on The cartridge is also just right. I suspect we are your thrill. very flat shooting with going to hear some great a 200 yard zero, it is 1.5 things about this round this inches low at the muzzle coming hunting season. and 4.9 inches low at 300 That being the case, I am Tom is a Registered yards. That translates to sure the other rifle manuMaine Guide. He is the additional capacity makes the increased performance possible. Here is a side by side comparison of the rounds:

Nosler’s version of this super round is quite interesting. The .277 caliber bullet is long and stable. In the 150 gr. version it is very heavy for its diameter. The .27 Nosler case has 42% more powder capacity than a .270 Win and 25% more case capacity than a .270 WSM. chester the greatest, allaround hunting cartridge.

The .270 WSM came along in a shorter cartridge allowing equal or better performance in a shorter round.

This made it available in more compact rifles. However, the quest for the super round continues. Nosler’s version of this super round is quite interesting. The .277 caliber bullet is long and stable. In the 150 gr. version it is very heavy for its diameter. The .27 Nosler case has 42% more powder capacity than a .270 Win and 25% more case capacity than a .270 WSM. This

Page 33

a dead-on hold from the muzzle to 300 yards while still staying in the 6” kill zone.

All of this with a 150 gr. projectile. The current offering for this caliber is the excellent Nosler Mod 48. This rifle sports a faster than normal rate of twist in its barrel. It is 1 in 8.5 inches. This stabilizes the long, fairly heavy projectile. What does this mean to hunters? It means that this cartridge takes a .277 caliber round up a class in the hunting arena. It means that sheep can be harvested at a bit longer range. It means

facturers will start offering more rifle options in this caliber. Previous variants offered in this caliber have provided slight variations or improvements in performance. So, if you are one of those performance chasers, or just looking for a new high-performance option, this round could be your ticket to the dance.

owner/operator of Shamrock Outfitters in Orient Maine with his wife Ellie.

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

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

The .27 Nosler cuts a new swath in down-range performance.

GIVE US YOUR BEST SHOT!

At camp, this guy and his gundog - after a morning of chasing pa’tridge - found a comfy place to spend some time with their favorite read, the Northwoods Sporting Journal.

Where do you read your copy of the Sporting Journal? At camp, in the boat, at the ice shack? We’d love to see a photo of you with your copy of the Journal at an unusual place. If we like it, we will publish it in the Journal. If we select your best shot for publication, we’ll send you an exclusive Sporting Journal hat created just for the occasion. Send your Jpeg photo and a short blurb to vpaulr@tds.net. Please include your contact information, too. www.sportingjournal.com

Page 34

Cookin’ With New England’s WildCheff

Northwoods Sporting Journal

October 2020

A Little Tenderness

essence liquid form. Traditionally duck fat is the first choice, but you can substitute with things like light olive oil or heathier versions of lard, which you can find at most major grocery stores.

The legs and thighs are the fattiest portions of the bird and therefore the ones you want to use. You can also use this same technique on your wild turkey

a tasty shepherd’s pie, for a breakfast hash, or filling for an enchilada or street taco.

After all, we all need a little tenderness.

the pot from the heat and let the duck cool in the fat to room temperature. You can either eat the duck as

by Denny Corriveau, it or transfer it to a storage Kennebunkport, ME container, cover with the Take duck, for exFor years I have had WildCheff’s Duck strained fat, and chill until hunters ask me how they ample. You are looking for Leg Confit ready to use. can make their wild game something creative to do Ingredients To serve the duck, with the legs and thighs. tender.

4 large duck legs and thighs pull a leg piece out of the Well, here is an idea When game is cooked (attached), about 3 lbs. fat, being careful not to pull properly and is tender, for you. Turn them into 1/2 C of kosher salt out the bone and leave the many of us experience our ‘Wild Duck Confit”.

2 T of organic sugar meat behind. If you can’t Elvis moment of “Love Confit dates back 1 tsp. of black peppercorns get the piece out, you can 1/2 tsp. of juniper berries let the fat come to room Confit can help you as a hunter when you are perplexed with 15 sprigs of fresh thyme temperature, heat it in a what to do with the legs and thighs of your game birds. It Approximately 4 C of ren- microwave, or warm it in a water bath in a large pot will provide you with a whole new tender experience for your dered duck fat or lard Directions on the stove. Scrape any game bird that will help you use all of your bird; Place the kosher salt excess fat off the meat. resulting in a sense of accomplishment. in a bowl and gently whisk Heat a dry frying pan, me tender, love me sweet, to France. This cooking thighs, pheasant or goose. with the sugar. preferably cast iron, over For now, I will focus never let me go, you have method was created so Holding one duck leg medium-high heat and made my life complete”. that people could preserve on duck. I recommend at a time over the bowl, place the leg in the pan, Wild game has an al- their meat. The technique leaving the leg and thigh rub a generous amount of skin side down, to crisp up luring quality when pre- infuses the meat with fat together when you break the salt-sugar mixture all and heat through before and flavor, where the meat down your bird. Leave the over the leg, into the skin serving, about 6 minutes. pared the right way.

In unison with that is fully covered in fat and skin on your duck after and flesh. Repeat with the (Alternatively, you can thought, you can bring ten- slowly simmered for a plucking. remaining legs. brown and crisp the duck, Kosher salt, herbs and derness, flavor and versatil- long period at a low temIn the bowl or another skin side up, in the oven for spices lend to the process container, pack the salted about 8 minutes.) ity to your game by using perature.

The fat needs to be and contribute to the flavor. legs on top of each other, the right methodology to Enjoy with your faaccomplish tenderness. in a rendered stage – in I highly recommend that layering them with the pep- vorite rice or potato and you purchase these fresh percorns, juniper berries, veggies, or strip the meat to ensure positive results. and thyme. Sprinkle with for other recipes.

Confit can help you any remaining salt mixture. as a hunter when you are Cover tightly with plastic perplexed with what to do wrap and refrigerator for with the legs and thighs 12 to 24 hours.

About the author: of your game birds. It will The following day, WildCheff - Denny Corprovide you with a whole unpack the duck legs and riveau is Award-Winning new tender experience for rub off any salt and spices Celebrity Game Chef, your game bird that will with paper towels. Pat dry. Iron Chef Winner, and the help you use all of your Melt the fat or lard in Founder of the Free Range bird; resulting in a sense of a wide heavy-bottomed pot Culinary Institute, the only accomplishment. (such as a Dutch oven) just national wild game cookNaturally, it can be big enough to hold the legs. ing school in the country. enjoyed as is, but it can Add the duck to the fat; it As a Wild Game Evangelist also be stripped from the should be submerged. and trendsetter for wild bone and shredded much Simmer the duck very game culinary arts - Denny like a pulled pork for a top- slowly for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, is a nationally recognized ping for poutine, a creative or until the meat browns, authority regarding his game burger that combines shrinks off the bone, and is “best practice” methodolthe shredded confit with very tender when pricked ogy regarding the culinary ground duck and made into with the point of a knife. side of wild game. You can a delicious duck burger, a The fat should never go learn more @ www.wildmeat stuffing for a bell pep- much above 220ºF during cheff.com or follow him on per, egg rolls, as a base for the cooking time. Remove Instagram @ thewildcheff

October 2020

Northwoods Sporting Journal

The Cowdung

This month’s fly is the Cowdung. This is an old (some say over 300 years) British fly that migrated here during the early days of fly fishing in this country. It dropped off the radar when more American designed flies appeared in shops. This is a story that repeats itself over the years; great flies are kicked to the curb and forgotten when new flies are introduced. I like new designs and I have them in my box, but some of these older flies are gems and I love to fish them. You’ll like this one too.

Recipe for the Cowdung Thread – Black Hook – Standard wet fly hook, size 6-14 Body – Olive-green wool Hackle- Brown hen Wing – Cinnamon If you don’t have olive green wool, you should.

It is a natural color for

The Bird Perch

wet flies up here. I have started using dubbing yarn because it saves time, the wool yarn I buy on a card is good but it is a bit thick.

If you untwist it you can get three strands of thinner yarn and you’ll find it goes on easier. Dubbing yarn is the size of those thin strands and it comes on a spool.

There is no tail on this fly so start your wool yarn and wind on a body.

sion or two with a gold tag and a rib but Bergman is the authority I prefer and his recipe has only body, wings and hackle. Wool can be bulky so watch that you don’t crowd the hook eye. Tie off the yarn and tie on two wet style wings.

The recipe calls for cinnamon colored Orpington cock feathers for wings.

This is a chicken popular in Great Britain and you will have to find a substitute.

Cinnamon turkey quill was popular years ago, so is regular duck quill dyed cinnamon brown. I find it easier to collect the different shades of dyed duck quill so that’s what I use. I think hen I checked some of my old pheasant tail would work books and there was a ver- well too. Wet fly wings can

Page 35

The Tyer’s Corner

by Hugh Kelly, Detroit, ME

be tied on in four orientations; tips up, tips down, convex and concave. For this fly; tips up and concave. By that I mean the tips point up slightly and the wings cup together over the shank and do not flare out. I honestly don’t know if the fish notice the difference. The wings should extend past the hook bend a little bit.

I like a beard style hackle on this fly. If you prefer to wind on a hackle, tie it forward of the wings and just behind the hook eye. Two or three wraps is all you need. If you use a beard style hackle, pull off some hackle feather barbules and tie them in a small bunch under the wing tie in point; the hackle

should extend to just past the hook point.

That’s all there is to this fly and frankly, that’s all you need to catch fish.

Originally, this pattern was meant to imitate a fly that hung around cow droppings; my bet is that it is mistaken for several emerging insects here in the northeast. That’s why you should carry a few.

invasive winter moth caterpillars whose hairs have caused severe allergic reactions in people.

Another interesting

young. By October all adult and juvenile Cuckoos of both species are wintering in South America. Some day if I travel out west, I hope to see another species of Cuckoo, the Roadrunner. It is a huge grounddwelling, crested bird that runs after lizards, snakes, birds, and other creatures on its long, sturdy legs.

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

Black-billed Cuckoo

a yellow upper mandible while the lower is black. I have yet to hear its throaty

by Karen Holmes, call of “ka, ka,ka, kow, Cooper, ME kow, kowp, kowp, kowp” In October I always clearing, you notice it is a here at my home in Cooper, notice how I hear less vo- medium-sized bird with a Maine. calizing from the birds. I swift and purposeful flight.

Both species of Cuckhave challenged myself It has a long, slightly de- oo are nicknamed “the rain over the years to listen and curved blackish bill and a birds” because they are identify various species Both species of Cuckoo are nicknamed without actually seeing them. During the summer “the rain birds” because they are often heard before summer storms.

I heard a bird calling in rhythmic groups of “cu- very noticeable narrow red often heard before sumcucu, cucucu, cucucu.” It ring around both eyes. The mer storms. During this was good I knew that call plumage is grayish -brown past summer there were because the Black-billed above, white underneath abundant numbers of catCuckoo is seldom seen and the long tail has white erpillars. I realized that close and is very secretive. on the tips of the feathers. the Black-billed Cuckoos It furtively stays among Its relative, the Yellow- were there eating them and the trees and thickets, let- billed Cuckoo, has bright saving much of the foliage. ting all the foliage hide its rufous primary feathers and They especially love the presence. much larger white spots more hairy caterpillars.

If you are fortunate on the tail. It lacks the red This is welcome news as to see one flying over a orbital ring and its bill has they will help control the

The Black-billed Cuckoo.

Karen Holmes is a fact about Black-billed Cuckoos is that the female retired teacher. She writes may sometimes lay an egg for various publications, in another bird’s nest. It is enjoys gardening and parnot known what triggers ticipating in citizen science this behavior as it is per- projects in Washington fectly capable of building County, Maine such as the a nest and rearing its own Annual Loon Count.

Page 36

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Women In The Woods

by Erin Merrill, Portland, ME Staci and I decided to try our luck bird hunting.

We loaded the shotguns up, our outdoor gear, lunch and drove onto the empty dirt roads of the Maine

over. We kept an eye out for birds along the roadway and caught a glimpse of a hatch perched on a few limbs of a dead tree. We watched the mama fly out

October 2020

Woods: Reasons to Be There

drove down a dirt road towards whatever was dead.

The pile wasn’t hidden, but it was tucked into the back corner of the opening.

More than five moose rib cages were piled on top of one another. We assumed it was a fresh coyote bait.

I backed my car out on to the main dirt road.

We turned a corner and saw a bird in the road, strutting his stuff. I came to a stop as quickly and slowly as I could while Staci got out and in position to take a shot.

woods. It could not have been a more perfect October morning. The colors were radiant and there was just a slight breeze. We left the main dirt road and headed down skidder trails to look for birds that might be hanging out close to the road.

We drove, stopped and listened. Over and

of nowhere and make a few noises resulting in the young birds flying down and disappearing into the brush.

We saw two bald eagles flying around and with them, some turkey vultures and crows. It was a tell-tale sign that something was dead. Being the adventurous women that we are, we

ATTENTION FALL FISHERMAN!!!

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I didn’t even have time to stop before a bird flew in front of the windshield.

Staci and I looked at each other and I parked the car and we started walking to see if we could find the bird. No luck.

We turned a corner and saw a bird in the road, strutting his stuff. I came to a stop as quickly and slowly as I could while Staci got out and in position to take a shot. The bird was nervous and jumped a few times as he crossed the road, angling away from us. Before Staci could get a good shot off, the bird flew.

We hit the paved road empty handed and drove

Staci with dinner. the hour back. In a last am not good with a shot ditch attempt, we took the gun, but any excuse to get long way home. There, on into the woods is one that an old rock wall was a bird. I will make.

I drove past it and slowly Erin is a member of stopped. Staci got out and walked back down the the OWAA and the New road. One shot and we had England Outdoor Writers dinner! We were less than Association. She is a senior five minutes from Staci’s writer for Drury Outdoors’ DeerCast and is the Presihouse.

But, that is the beauty dent and co-Founder of the of hunting. You never know non-profit group Women what you will find and of the Maine Outdoors. where. We got to spend You can read about Erin’s a fantastic fall day in the adventures and contact her woods enjoying the views, at www.andastrongcupoflaughing and exploring. I coffee.com

Best Shot Photo

Josh Hatley takes time out from his bear hunt to enjoy the pages of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. Hatley’s Best Shot was taken by his hunting bud, Tony Tardugno.

16 100 square meters 17 Locate 19 Plump 20 Quarrelsome grouch 22 Expression of relief 23 Chest bone 24 Devastating 2005 hurricane

26 British WWII general 28 Of no political party (Abbr.)

29 Old Russian space station 30 Usual standards 33 First man to sign the Declaration of Independence 37 Beer made with a top fermenting yeast 38 Small powerful harbor vessel 39 Author unknown 40 Former name of Psiloritis, Cretan mountain 41 Bright 43 Expected 44 --- thought (somewhere else) 46 --- O’Neill, playwright 48 Nod off 49 Areas of land 50 Go in 51 Jockey’s attire

Down 1 Jagged mountain range 2 Vote out of office 3 Noncom 4 Aid 5 Erin 6 Middle meal 7 4th largest Great Lake 8 Retains a reservoir 9 Still in the womb 10 Elevated preaching platform 11 Nibble 13 Reserved 18 Small cell 21 Upper edge 25 Ft. divisions 26 Short for the least 27 Killer whale 29 They have attractive poles 30 Hammered fixings 31 Oft-repeated joke 32 Explanation 33 Attila, e.g.

Page 37 34 Ready for action 35 Enumerates 36 Leg joints 38 Radio receiver 41 Dimensions 42 Cosmonaut --- Gagarin 45 Little one 47 4 qts.

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

Across: 1 Sushi, 6 Led up, 11 Singer, 12 Uranus, 14 Nestle, 15 Nimble, 16 Are, 17 Place, 19 Opt, 20 Crab, 22 Aah, 23 Rib, 24 Katrina, 26 Monty, 28 Ind, 29 Mir, 30 Norms, 33 Hancock, 37 Ale, 38 Tug, 39 Anon, 40 Ida, 41 Sunny, 43 Due, 44 Lost in, 46 Eugene, 48 Snooze, 49 Tracts, 50 Enter, 51 Silks.

Across 1 Osaka fish dish 6 Was a prelude 11 Vocalist 12 Discovered by Herschel 14 Hershey rival 15 Agile

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Down: 1 Sierra, 2 Unseat, 3 Sgt, 4 Help, 5 Ireland, 6 Lunch, 7 Erie, 8 Dam, 9 Unborn, 10 Pulpit, 11 Snack, 13 Set by, 18 AAA, 21 Brim, 25 Ins, 26 Min, 27 Orca, 29 Magnets, 30 Nails, 31 Old one, 32 Reason, 33 Hun, 34 On deck, 35 Counts, 36 Knees, 38 Tuner, 41 Size, 42 Yuri, 45 Tot, 47 Gal.

October 2020

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 38

October 2020

Trapping Scents - Part 1

The Fur Shed

by Blake Dougerty, Suffield, CT When it comes to trapping the scents we use are generally broken down into three categories: Bait, Lure & Urine. They could be homemade or they could be commercially bought baits made by professional bait and lure makers.

If you end up hitting a home run you are going to want to recreate it. Keep track of the exact amount of each ingredient use. You can keep it simple and send your desired meat or combination of meats through a meat grinder. You then

level of taint you will need to stabilize the bait. Salt and sodium benzoate are both great choices. Use one heaping cup of sodium benzoate per gallon of meat and ½ cup of salt per gallon. Mix each day for 5 days or so or until the bait stops “gassing”.

Once the bait has stopped gassing add glycerin to smooth out the mixture. It also serves as a

The first rule of making your own bait or lure is: Write down your formulas! If you end up hitting a home run you are going to want to recreate it.

Baits Baits are usually considered something an animal wants to get at to eat or roll in for whatever reason.

These can consist of anything from beaver, muskrat, woodchuck, bobcat or even deer meat, always check your regulations on the legal use of game meat.

Sometimes fowl or upland bird carcasses serve well as a bait. Even fish are used in trapping baits. Any of these meats are fine material for making homemade baits.

The first rule of making your own bait or lure is: Write down your formulas!

need to decide whether or not to use the meat fresh or taint it and for how long.

Now it’s important to note I didn’t say “rot” the meat.

There is a big difference in the two. Taint, which is a mild to sharp odor that signals the very beginning stages of decomposition.

Or as Websters Dictonary states: “to touch or affect slightly with something bad”. Rot is the process of decaying. Full stage decomposition. A complete breakdown of the meat.

Once you have decided to use either fresh meat or have achieved the desired

mild antifreeze. I prefer a consistency slightly thicker than wet cat food but it’s all personal preference. Once you land on a bait you feel good about it’s always a good idea to put some test holes in the ground and set up some trail cameras to see what the animal attraction and reactions are to it.

There is something very rewarding about trapping a target species using your own bait. Once you have a simple bait that is getting a lot of interest from animals you can experiment with making more complex formulas by adding other

GUNS • HUNTING • FISHING • CAMPING

ingredients like essential oils of varying scents. Blue cheese oil added to a canine/cat bait recipe works well but there are many different options out there that may appeal to your target species.

There are many commercial baits available through trapping supply dealers that have been spruced up and given a steroid like injection with glands, bait solutions and/ or essential oils. It’s often debated whether these types of baits lean more toward lures but we can table that conversation as it’s really a matter of who you talk too. The number of professional bait & lure makers working in the trapping world today are many.

There are a lot of choices like Dunlap Baits & Lures, Caven’s Baits, Kaatz Bros. Lures, Saw-

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mill Creek Baits & Lures, Jamesons Baits & Lures, Night Owl Lures and the list goes on and on. Using a commercial bait isn’t necessarily required but it is a great option for folks that are hard pressed for time to make their own baits. Additionally, these experienced lure makers likely saved you not only time but also money producing bait for you. The hours they spent formulating and testing their baits success before bringing them to market are countless.

Next Issue-Part 2: Lures & Urine Blake’s Take Wiebe 12” Pro Double Handle Fleshing Knife

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October 2020

Northwoods Sporting Journal

The Wooden Railway at Northeast Carry

In the 1830s Boggs & Strickland had a large lumber enterprise on the upper West Branch, and since they needed to get supplies to the lumber camps,

a truck drawn by an ox and a horse over a rude lograilway through the woods.

On August 9, 1856 Henry I. Bowditch, penned that “It is two miles long

bewildered by their rival injunctions. Whenever the engine-driver stopped to pick a huckleberry, the train, self-braking, stopped also, and the engine took in fuel from the tall grass that grew between the sleepers.

It was the sensation of sloth

Page 39

Old Tales from the Maine Woods

by Steve Pinkham Quincy, MA

than in the days of his youth, for it is impossible to imagine a slower traveller than he.”

George Pickering was one of the last parties to cross to use the railway

the face of the track, the small wheels thus serving as a rim for the body wheels.”

A fire, which soon burned over the entire area, destroyed both the railway

In the summer of 1861 John T. Gilman crossed the carry and Mr. Young, who had a farm at the other end, met them, and after they asked if the ox was an octogenarian, he replied, “No, ‘tain’t exactly that, but it’s an ox, au’ he’s more’n twenty years old.”

The old wooden railway at Moosehead Lake. it was easier to get them & very dilapidated now. A from Greenville. In 1838 single ox--quiet, intelligent they built a series of inter- beast--is the locomotion locking ties made of pine, power! Much more contopped with a cart, which venient & docile is he than was pulled by an ox. any other species of power, In the early years for when he could not find a most adventurers who vis- good path for himself in the ited Katahdin, approached customary track, he would the mountain by going betake himself to the wide up the West Branch from wooden rail!” Thomas Medway and in the 1840s Winthrop came through more sportsmen, began ap- the same month and gave proaching the mountain via the most complete descripthe Moosehead Lake route. tion – “Our cloven-hoofed On August 15, 1853, engine did not whir turbuJames Russell Lowell, a lently along, like a thing of Harvard Professor, went wheels. Slow and sure must across the carry but did not the knock-kneed chewer mention the railway. Two of cuds step from log to weeks later on August 29th, log. Creekingly the wain Col. Lot Warfield used the followed him, pausing same route, and wrote “Our and starting and pausing duffle was transferred to a again, with groans of inertruck or car that ran on a tia. A very fat ox was this, wooden tramway and was protesting every moment hauled over to the landing against his employment, on the river by a single ox. where speed, his duty, and Our party kept to the rear.” sloth, his nature, kept him The next month, on Sept.

17th Thoreau came through and penned “At length a Mr. Hinckley, who has a camp at the other end of See Page 49 the “carry,” appeared with

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at its uttermost...So, at last, in an hour...we came to the terminus. The chewer of cuds was disconnected and plodded off to his stable.

The go-cart slid down an inclined plane to the river, the Penobscot. “ In the summer of 1861 John T. Gilman crossed the carry and Mr. Young, who had a farm at the other end, met them, and after they asked if the ox was an octogenarian, he replied, “No, ‘tain’t exactly that, but it’s an ox, au’ he’s more’n twenty years old.” For twenty years has this ox, solitary and alone, walked over this now dilapidated carry, and he probably walked more soberly now

in August 1862, wrote, “Small wheels, their axles perpendicular to the axle of the body wheels, were placed upon the outside of the car, and ran upon the outside of the track, while the body wheels run upon

and Young’s farm.

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

The Allagash

AWW Superintendent, Matt LaRoche, ME The Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) recently installed new fire tower cabs on Allagash, Round Pond (T13 R12) and Deboullie Mountains. These projects have been in the planning stages for many years. I personally had wondered if it would actually happen in my lifetime.

It seemed as though every

towers as they became unsafe and turn into a liability for the State of Maine.

Maine had a total of 144 known mountains with fire lookout observers assigned to them. By the 1960’s many of the towers were abandoned in favor of fire detection flights. The last fire towers to be abandoned

by MFS were the result of

October 2020

New Fire Tower Cabs on high fire danger days.

When smoke was spotted a sighting device, called an alidade, would be aimed at the smoke, the bearing would be read and called in over the telephone in the early days and over the radio in later years. At one time there were thousands of miles of telephone lines strung throughout the Maine Woods. Ideally, two or more towers could sight on the smoke. Forest Rangers on the ground would

dles to overcome with the projects were to line-up funding. The cost was considerably more than originally anticipated, which lead to much of the work being done in-house. Finding away to lift the cabs while working through the State of Maine contracting process was a challenge.

As you can imagine, risk

marily funded from timber sales on Public Lands and a grant from the Recreational Trail Program.

Copies of the original maps in these fire towers have been made and will soon be displayed as they once were when observers were on duty keeping a watchful eye on Maine’s woodlands. We are seek-

Observers would be in the towers scanning the horizon looking for smoke on high fire danger days.

When smoke was spotted a sighting device, called an alidade, would be aimed at the smoke, the bearing would be read and called in over the telephone in the early days and over the radio in later years. time the projects started to gain momentum a new obstacle would stall the projects.

For years the Maine Forest Service (MFS) took down or toppled old fire

a budget crisis in 1991.

Allagash and Deboullie Mountains were among the last towers to be closed.

Observers would be in the towers scanning the horizon looking for smoke

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plot the bearings on a map, where the lines crossed on the map was the location of the fire.

An old retired Forest Ranger friend of mine named Oscar Gagne (now deceased) once told me that it might take two or three days to reach some fires. This was before the road network that we have today in the Maine Woods was developed.

The new fire tower cabs were designed by Kleinschmidt Associates.

They were modeled after the cab that was on Deboullie Mountain. BPL staff built the first replacement cab, the other two were built by a local contractor.

BPL staff and volunteers stabilized the steel tower structures and Helicopter Applicators Inc. out of Gettysburg Pennsylvania were contracted to fly the new cabs onto the towers.

The two biggest hur-

A helicopter service from Pennsylvania was hired to airdrop the new fire tower cabs. management and workers comp issues were a huge obstacle to overcome.

Jacob Guimond, Northern Region Manager for Public Lands said, “BPL is pleased to see this project nearing completion.

Almost all members of the Northern Region staff worked together to move this project forward since its inception in 2001. We hope the recreating public can enjoy the fire towers for many years to come as they are part of Maine’s history and northern forest landscape.”

The cost of replacing all three cabs was over $150,000. Money for the project was derived from the Public Lands Management fund which is pri-

ing at least two alidades to install in the cabs so that visitors can visualize how a watchperson sighted and called in the bearings on a forest fire in days gone by.

These fire towers were restored for recreational purposes only and will not be staffed by lookout observers.

AWW Notes: If you have or know where we might get an alidade to install in one of these towers, please contact me.

Matt LaRoche is Superintendent of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, a Registered Maine Guide and an avid outdoorsman.

He can be reached at 207695-2169 or at matt.laroche@maine.gov

October 2020

Question

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 41

I got a trail cam pic- downtown. ture at a bear bait a few (Cont. from pg 27) -Jesse Derr, years ago in Ellsworth, looking at that I did not take only a couple miles from Ellsworth a photo. I searched through the internet to identify what it was but could not find any photos that matched.

Your recent article included two words, tawny and long tail, that described the cat, especially the long tail.

The cat was in no hurry to cross the parking area and eventually disappeared in the woods -Scott Redmon, Mount Desert Island, ME

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Page 42

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Northwoods Campfires Sketchbook the light of the conflagraby Mark McCollough, Hampden, ME

What is it that so fascinates us about a campfire? The process of gathering firewood, igniting the birchbark or a handful of whisker-thin fir twigs, poking and prodding, cooking over the coals, and staring into the dying embers captivates us from start to finish.

Campfires are an essential part, often the highpoint, of outdoor experiences and culminate a day afield.

the savannah to eliminate brush and create grasslands that teemed with wild game.

Memorable campfires chronicle our decades of outdoor experiences. Here are a few that live in my cache of outdoor memories. What are your best campfire memories?

Light. Who knew that building a campfire could be competitive? Boy

Campfires and our instinctive knowledge of how to build them seem inextricably embedded in our DNA. About 300,000 years ago humans first “domesticated” fire. With this newfound skill, we could choose when and where to light a fire. Humans now had a dependable source of light, warmth, protection from prowling lions and hyenas, and the ability to cook our food. Humans began to intentionally torch

Scouts are drawn to campfires like moths to a candle.

In Scouts we were each given an axe, two matches, and a pine log. The competition was to see who could first burn through bailing twine stretched horizontal about two feet off the ground. A bonfire culminated the last night of our weekend campouts.

In preparation, logs were stacked log cabin style as much as 8 feet high. Scouts danced to a drum beat in

tion. Tall tales were told.

Ghosts were summoned.

It was not all that different than what the Neanderthals did millennia ago.

Heat. The first day of October moose season was bitterly cold. Frigid rain and ice pellets lashed from the north. My hunting partner, Bill Hoyt, and I canoed through the inky pre-dawn darkness into the watery catacombs of a vast sedge meadow. We huddled from the gale behind a group of larches. Love-

As the hour grows late, the firewood exhausted, the group grows silent and we are captive to our own thoughts.

Someone pokes and prods the last of the unburned logs.

We nudge the ends of unburned sticks into the coals.

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sick moose songs rang from our birchbark call and were swallowed by the howling wind. A wide-eyed yearling bull and a cow wandered into the meadow, but nothing that we were interested in harvesting on the first day. The rain turned to wet snow and fell in ping-pong sized flakes.

Our wool jackets and pants were soaked through, and we turned hypothermic.

With teeth chattering and uncontrollable shakes, we gathered dry twigs from the base of the sparse hackmatacks. We were able to kindle a small fire with the

October 2020

shifts and keep the campfire going all night.

While the bear watched, bands of Scout gathered a stack of firewood 6 feet high. We put our food in the bear bag and suspended it high over the fire. We decided to sleep in our sleeping bags in a circle around the fire. DarkWhat is it that so fascinates us ness enveloped about a campfire? (Illustration the Cimarron

by Mark McCollough) Mountains. In help of dry birchbark stored the glow of the fire, we in the bow of the canoe – watched the bear circling enough to heat some water and circling. The shifts and make tea. The welcome went as planned, and the heat externally and inter- fire kept the bear at bay.

That is until almost dawn, nally was a life saver.

Things that go bump when the stars and the last in the night. The cinna- of the Scouts began to fade. mon bear appeared at our With the sun barely above campsite in the evening the horizon, we woke to a after supper. Our Scout crash and bang. The bear troop had just backpacked was standing in the ashes 18-miles at the Philm- of the fire, scant feet from ont Scout Ranch in New our sleeping bags, and Mexico, and we were ex- swatting at the food in hausted. We yelled at the our bear bag. A swarm bear. Threw sticks at it. But of Scouts emerged like the bear persisted. It circled hornets. Scantily clad in our campsite as dusk crept our whitey tighties, we deinto the forest. We con- scended on the bear chascocted a plan to stay up in ing it through the pinion pines and throwing sticks and stones. We moved to a new campsite.

Grilled on the coals.

Campfires and cooking go together like graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows. Our young family camped from Denali to the Everglades, Newfoundland to Arizona. The tang of wood smoke wafting on the fall air brings (Campfires cont. pg 43)

October 2020

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Warden Pilots: For the Record

THE BACK SHELF

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

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

The Backshelf Section of the August issue of the Sporting Journal carried a story by V. Paul Reynolds titled “Warden Pilots: A Special Breed.”

As noted at the top of this section, The Backshelf is, by design, a look back in history. The articles in this section are re-published articles from the files of the Sporting Journal going back more than 25 years. By their very nature, Backshelf articles, resurrected from our archives, may contain information or facts that have been altered or changed by the passage of time.

The particular article

about Maine warden pilots listed some of those who had been killed in the line of duty. Since this specific article was written and published before 2011, it did not contain the name of Warden Pilot Daryl Gordon, who was killed in late March of 2011, when his ski-plane crashed on Clear Lake, apparently in a snow squall.

According to news reports, Gordon, a 25-year veteran of the Warden Service, was returning to his base at Eagle Lake after having helped another Warden free his snow sled from a slush field on another north Maine lake.

The Sporting Journal was contacted by a close relative of the late Warden Pilot, who expressed understandable concern and disappointment that Warden Pilot Gordon’s

Campfires

done, the cook kit cleaned in the sand at the edge of the river, food put away, and bear bag hung, we experience the deepest value of a good campfire.

Guitars and harmonicas come out and music fills the air. The crackling coals spark memories of longgone wilderness adventures. Tales are told of the week-long backpacking

trip in the back country of the Tetons when Dad forgot to bring matches.

The time we taught my son’s 4th grade class how to make a fire with flint, steel, and charcloth. Campfires of yore camping with my Mom, Dad, brothers and sister along the steaming and sulfurous Yellowstone River.

As the hour grows

(Cont. from pg 42) back memories of camp cooking. Grilling grayling over glowing alder coals in the wilds along the Denali Highway in central Alaska.

Steaks sizzling over bonedry mesquite on a remote and lonely road in Grand Escalante National Monument. Brook trout roasted over crackling spruce coals along the Allagash in northern Maine. Experiments with stews and cobblers in our dutch oven. Reflector oven biscuits. Tin can boil-ups in the wilds of Newfoundland. Spider dogs on Prince Edward Island. There’s nothing as satisfying (for kids or adults) as cooking supper over the fire.

And when the day is

Page 43

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

name was not included in the article. Since the article was a salute and a tribute to the contributions made by those brave Warden Pilots alive and deceased, we regret in hindsight that a

“sidebar” story about Warden Pilot Gordon had not been included alongside the archived story.

The takeaway for us is to be more thorough in the future, and to more prominently display the intent of the Backshelf Section, and its historical nature.

We appreciate the efforts of the late Warden Pilot’s family in calling all of this to our attention. And we thank Warden Pilots, and all Maine Game Wardens for that matter, for all that they do for conservation law enforcement,

Warden Pilot Daryl Gorden.

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late, the firewood exhausted, the group grows silent and we are captive to our own thoughts. Someone pokes and prods the last of the unburned logs. We nudge the ends of unburned sticks into the coals. A flying squirrel or bat flies through the flickering margins of the firelight. A lone wolf howls across the lake.

The darkness and chill of

the autumn night sneaks closer. The woodsmoke becomes one with the Milky Way. Our hopes and dreams are carried in the showers of sparks to mingle with the stars in the velvet dome above.

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Page 44

Northwoods Sporting Journal

October 2020

Sea-Run Brook Trout

Native Fish Talk

by Bob Mallard, Skowhegan, ME The best way to describe sea-run brook trout is diadromous, or migrating between freshwater and saltwater. They are not anadromous like Atlantic salmon which are a saltwater species that spawns and is reared in freshwater.

Sea-run brook trout, or salters, live, spawn and are reared in freshwater, yet move into brackish and saltwater to feed and seek thermal refuge. Some fish spend the winter in saltwater, returning to freshwater in the spring or summer.

Once thought to be a sub-species of brook trout, salters are now considered a unique life history strategy, but genetically the same as other brook trout.

Their pale coloration is temporary, and the result of recently being in saltwater.

gest brook trout caught in America came from Massachusetts and New York, or Cape Cod and Long Island to be specific. These fish were salters.

The esteemed Daniel Webster’s fabled 14 pound brookie came from the Carmans River in Long Island.

Other notable waters were Connetquot River in Long Island, and Red Brook and Quashnet River in Cape Cod. The presence of these large sea-run brook trout

Maine is home to more than 85 percent of sea run brook trout. from Long Island Sound ductions held salters down feed primarily on minnows, to Canada. By the ear- for decades. Brown trout eels, small crustaceans, and ly 1900’s however, their stocked in coastal streams marine worms.

While it’s unclear why numbers had been greatly competed with them for food and space. Maine had salter size has declined, it’s reduced.

Dams blocked salters over forty active brown possible generations of passage, and one stream, trout stocking programs in taking the top off the population has resulted in stuntLong before anglers discovered Maine, the biggest brook ing. Another possibility is trout caught in America came from Massachusetts and New a loss of genetic diversity York, or Cape Cod and Long Island to be specific. due to reduced populations.

These fish were salters.

Most early literature resulted in the creation of Monument Brook, was coastal waters at one point. cites forage as the primary fishing clubs on some of buried beneath Cape Cod Early salters averaged reason salters move into the more popular salter Canal. Other streams were a pound or so. Fish up to, saltwater. However, recent rivers and streams. These compromised by cranber- and over, 10-pounds were studies indicate fish move clubs catered to the mov- ry agriculture. Pollution, occasionally caught, and in search of thermal refuge ers-and-shakers of the era. development, and angler fish up to 3-5-pounds were as well. And in some cases, America’s First When Europeans first exploitation took their toll not uncommon. Today, it’s it appears that low water Gamefish arrived on the East Coast, as well. rare to catch a salter over may drive them into the Long before anglers salters could be found in Attempts to maintain, 14-inches, and most aver- salt also.

Interestingly, while discovered Maine, the big- hundreds of coastal streams and restore, sea-run brook age well under a foot. trout populations through Sea-run brook trout salters from Red Brook in stocking were unsuccess- grew large on the abundant Massachusetts are returnful. It’s likely the highly forage found in estuaries ing to freshwater due to domesticated fish were and bays. Unlike stream warming temperatures in unfit for life at sea. fish that rely heavily on Buttermilk Bay, fish on (Trout cont. pg 45) Nonnative fish intro- insects, fish in saltwater

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Trout

(Cont. from pg 44) Mount Desert Island in Maine are dropping down into the ocean due to warming streams, and possibly low water.

Most sea-run brook trout are caught in freshwater rivers and streams.

Some are caught in estuaries and brackish water.

But it’s rare to catch them in saltwater, likely due to their low densities and small size.

Sea-run brook trout are like any other brook trout. However, when they return from sea they tend to

Northwoods Sporting Journal

feed mostly on small minnows for a time. The best way to target them is with small bright streamers.

Maine’s Role in Salter Conservation By most estimates, Maine is home to 85% or more of the nation’s wild sea-run brook trout. From New Hampshire to Canada, it’s likely there are 50 or more streams that hold at least some level of salters.

And the number may be higher.

Outside of Maine, salters are limited to a few populations in New Hampshire, 10 or so in Massachusetts, and a cou-

ple in New York. And it’s possible there are a few in Rhode Island and Connecticut. As goes Maine, so goes salters…

Salters are a unique lifeform of brook trout.

Like endangered Atlantic salmon, rare Arctic charr, and lake- and pond-dwelling brook trout, they are found primarily in Maine.

Unfortunately, Maine is not doing enough to protect these fish with most populations managed under general law regulations: Unrestricted tackle, 5-fish, 6-inches.

Meanwhile, in Mas-

Page 45

sachusetts, Red Brook and Quashnet River are C&R, and a number of other salter streams have 3-fish limits: Childs, Coonamessett, Jones, Mashpee, and Santuit Rivers, and Scorton Creek. Would emulating this help Maine’s salter streams reach their potential? Should we do so? I believe the answer is yes in both cases…

mercial fly designer. Bob is a blogger, writer, and author. He is also a native fish advocate and founding member, Executive Director, and Maine Board Member for Native Fish Coalition. Look for his books 50 Best Places Fly Fishing the Northeast and 25 Best Towns Fly Fishing for Trout (Stonefly Press,) and his most recent, Squaretail: The Definitive Guide to Brook Trout BOB MALLARD has and Where to Find Them fly fished for forty years. (Stackpole Books.) Bob He is a former fly shop can be reached at www. owner, Registered Maine BobMallard.com or info@ Fishing Guide, and com- bobmallard.com

Carroll’s Corner Grouse and Woodcock Recipes

Other than the obvious enjoyment of upland bird hunts, equally important is the enjoyment of the fantastic meals that we enjoy from our harvest of the partridge (real hunters say “partridge”) and woodcock. It’s been a while since I wrote about any of my store of fish and game recipes, so here are a few ways to enjoy these absolutely magnificent game birds at the table.

The first item about woodcock hunting is to remember that woodcock are a Migratory game bird and that means that hunting for them ends at sunset, not a half hour after, which is the case with partridge. I have always found that no matter how you prepare woodcock, that dark meat can be a little strong. To remove that strong flavor, I either breast or skin my woodcock, depending on how I intend to cook them. The next step is that I place the meat in a bowl full of, believe it or not, milk! Soaking the birds overnight in milk will take away that strong flavor and make them even more tender than usual. I cook woodcock with either of two methods: after the milk bath, I just breast them, and take them directly from the milk to a cast iron skillet with hot butter. I am careful not to overcook them as doing that tends to dry the meat. Drop them into the hot butter for a couple of minutes, flip them once and they are ready. If I am at home and have plenty of time, occasionally I love to skin the Timberdoodles, leaving the legs on, but trimming the wings close to the body. I make a stuffing with any number of different concoctions.

Lila and I most enjoy simple bread stuffing with a bit of Sage and Marjoram added. I place the birds in a pan with a grate in the pan, stuff the carcass with the stuffing and lay either a piece of slab bacon or salt pork, on top of the carcass and then wrap it in tin foil. Three hundred-fifty degrees for about twenty minutes and you have a meal fit for a King!

My most-enjoyed recipe for partridge is to breast the birds, leaving the halves of the breast in one piece, or slicing each half into strips. From then on it is strictly as usual, just fry them in butter and enjoy. Given that partridge are noticeably larger than their cousins, stuffing them makes for a more substantial meal. Because I have more room in the body cavity, I sometimes get a little more creative with the stuffing. My Mother used to make an oyster stuffing at Thanksgiving that was incredibly delicious. Once in a while, especially if we have plenty of partridge to work with, I will use her recipe using oysters in the stuffing. If we happen to have leftover partridge, which is so seldom as to be nearly never, we cube the leftovers and make a chicken salad. Different and not necessarily my favorite but it makes for a good departure from the usual. Lastly, when in the woods, I skin the bird, cut a piece of hardwood as big as my index finger and roast them over an open fire with nothing but a little salt. Ambiance at its finest!!!!!

Carroll M. Ware is a Master Maine Guide, holder of forty-eight world fly-fishing records and a two-time Maine Professional fly-casting champion.

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 46

New Hampshire Outdoors

Casting and Blasting

good fall food production. and Sandwich Range.

I know a couple of Every wildlife manageby Peter St. James, hunters who drew tags back ment unit is at or above Warner, N.H. in June at the annual Moose the established population While November may there’s the fall shotgun Lottery drawing. They’ll objectives and we continue be the “Big Show” for season for turkeys which be out the third week of to see more than 50 percent those who hunt deer with runs Monday, October 12th October trying to fill their of our adult buck harvest muzzleloader and rifles, through Sunday, October tags. One of them will be comprised of 2.5-plusOctober is still my favorite. 18th. Unlike the spring sea- getting back from an elk/ year-old deer.”

Bergeron said that It’s a time for casting and son where hunting ends mule deer hunt in Colorado while the entire state looks blasting. Rivers, streams at Noon, during the fall four days before the moose and trout ponds will close season you can hunt from season starts. Hope he’s got good, the best chances of for the season on Thurs“We’re coming off another high harvest year (12,306) and day, October 15th so that good fall food production. Every wildlife management unit still gives you some time to wet a line for trout and is at or above the established population objectives and we bass. Dry flies may still continue to see more than 50 percent of our adult buck produce but, depending on harvest comprised of 2.5-plus-year-old deer.” the leaves and stuff floating down the river, I prefer a half hour before sunrise a couple of BIG freezers! seeing deer would be in I had a chance re- the southeastern part of the a sinking tip line with a to a half hour after sunset. twelve-foot leader. Figure The fall season limit is one cently to catch up with Dan state or along the ConnectiI might as well get the fly/ turkey of either sex. The Bergeron, the Deer Proj- cut River on the western streamer in front of them! central/southern/western ect Leader with the New side of the state. But, if it’s But that doesn’t mean I’ll parts of the state are mostly Hampshire Fish and Game big deer you’re looking for, leave the ant, grasshopper open for the fall turkey Department, to talk about head north to WMUs A, B or beetle flies at home ei- hunt. The units closed are the coming deer season. He and C2. “Scouting is key to ther. You just never know? primarily those in the North feels that the season out- success in New Hampshire, And then, of course, Country, White Mountains look is very good. “We’re particularly in the White coming off another high Mountains, where deer harvest year (12,306) and densities are lower and the (Birds cont. pg ??)

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October 2020

terrain is more rugged.”

Early assessments of the food crop indicate that it will be an average to above average year. Not like last year when there was a bumper crop of mast.

And, with license sales up across the board, it looks like there will be more people in the woods this year. Bergeron hopes that “maybe they’ll enjoy the experience and stick with it “as opposed to be being just a temporary distraction from the COVID pandemic.”

Heading into the fall, more than one-fifth of the state was experiencing a severe drought, 49% of was in a moderate stage of drought and the rest of the state, (about 30%) was experiencing abnormally dry conditions. Parts of the state had only seen 30% of the average amount of rainfall since June 1st. So, be prepared to maybe factor drought conditions into your hunting plans.

Hopefully, we’ll get the several inches of rainfall we need from multiple systems over time to get conditions close to normal before we head into winter?

After all, it would be really nice if something this year was close to normal!

Peter St. James, host of the award-winning NH Wake-Up Show on 107.7FM in Concord, is a member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association, Outdoor Writers Association of America and is a licensed NH Fishing Guide. Reach him at : stjames.peter@gmail.com

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October 2020

Northwoods Sporting Journal

The Changing Environment

As this year goes on I can’t help but wonder about the unusually warm weather. I don’t want to get into an argument about global warming, but it is hard to argue that it doesn’t exist.

Whether it is a natural occurring thing or caused by the works of man is what is arguable. But, I don’t see how anyone can say we don’t have it, that is, unless they are so young that they don’t know the difference.

During the 1970’s and 80’s we often had snow on the ground while deer hunting at our camp. Sometimes there was enough of it that we hunted on snowshoes.

I remember one November when Dick and I along with a friend headed into camp by canoe. It was after dark, but I could see well enough to keep the canoe between the banks although the water was very dark. All of a sudden, the front of the canoe rose up sharply.

I immediately cut the motor and the canoe settled back on an even keel. I knew I had not run ashore. It was ice that had formed early.

We turned around, loaded

up and moved to where we could walk in to the camp.

Ice like that is very rare these days. I think the effect the warm up can have on those of us interested in the outdoors could be profound.

Consider our wildlife.

Maine’s large deer have

are particularly vulnerable.

How many die through the winter months? I don’t know, but I know it is a problem. Of course, ticks are a somewhat recent addition to our environment here in Maine. I don’t know exactly when they first showed up here, but I do

Northwoods Voyager

by Gil Gilpatrick, Skowhegan, ME

white pine disappear, replaced perhaps by one of the southern pines? Other trees are also dependent on climate. What about the sugar maple? Will the Maine and Vermont maple

During the 1970’s and 80’s we often had snow on the ground while deer hunting at our camp. Sometimes there was enough of it that we hunted on snowshoes. long lured hunters from afar to journey to our state in hopes of shooting a record deer. Compare Maine whitetails with southern deer. The Key deer in Florida, for example, weigh in at around 45-50 pounds for does and 70-80 pounds for adult bucks. In fact, I have read that the general rule is that deer size increases the farther north one goes from the equator. Will the moose leave us in this warmer weather? It is hard to say, but think about what the ticks are doing to those poor creatures. It depresses me to see photos of those ticks by the thousands on a moose’s skin. Young moose

know that for many years I was only vaguely aware that such things existed and certainly never expected to get one on me. I have had plenty of them since they arrived until I smartened up and took steps to keep them off. I’m not smart enough to know how this will affect other animals in Maine, but I do know that something that affects one population often has quite an influence on other species, sometimes a very much unexpected influence. I’m talking about years way down the road, but I wonder what other changes could take place.

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Page 47

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syrup become a thing of the past? Probably the list could go on and on, but the bottom line is that things can change. I don’t usually write about depressing subjects like this, but as I walk in the woods every day for the exercise I can’t help thinking these thoughts.

Oh, I know I will not live long enough to see it get as bad as I described, if it indeed does, but I live now with the hope that it will get better and our Maine weather will return to what I remember. That the large Maine deer will continue to flourish and our moose

will always populate the north woods. I hope that those pesky ticks disappear too, so folks can walk in the woods again without fearing the infections carried by those arachnids.

I have always considered myself an optimistic person, so….I will continue to hope for the best!

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

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 48

Marsh Island Chronicles

by Matthew Dunlap, Old Town, ME Nothing elevates the thrill of the hunt like success. Success in hunting is not routine. It’s an exception; more commonly, hunters slog for years, season to season, with hardly

No matter the odds— opening day approaches.

You prepare like Ernest Hemingway in Africa on a lion hunt. You pick up some new gear; only in hunting is it common and

You try to act cool. “Well, yes,” you say.

“I’ve got a nice buck to register.” Their faces snap up. “Really?” and the clerk darts out from behind the counter. a sighting of game to their name. For the outsider, the question persists—why bother?

“Well,” we say as disarmingly, “I really just like getting out.” Meant to defuse, it more readily deflects. Among sportsmen, it’s a sentiment that serves as both an answer and an explanation about why you’re such a lousy hunter—“I really just like getting out.”

advisable to spend real money on animal urine.

When you stop at the store on the way home, inquiring friends look over your shoulder at the back of your truck to see if you’ve brought in something to tag. “See anything?” they ask.

No, you reply. “Pretty quiet out there—peaceful. I really just like getting out.”

On one non-descript day, you silence the alarm,

HEIRLOOM LURES

October 2020

Just Getting Out

and hear the wind blowing and the temperature reads below freezing, you consider going back under the warm covers and going back to sleep. But there are only so many days you can hunt, and you decide to go out, even if only for a couple of hours.

You go through your routine; check your gear, and head out. You make your way to your spot, and take a slow, deep breath into the quiet of the predawn hour, when silence slips in around you; as you become part of the woods, you remember that this is what you mean when you explain that you just like getting out. The rhythm of the awakening woods has a Zen to it that pulls you along, and checking your watch for legal shooting time, you see it’s already five minutes in, and not as cold as you feared.

CRACK You stop breathing.

You freeze. A branch snapping. Not far out. You hear

the shuffling of leaves; is sights on his shoulder, and it going away? No, it’s at you begin, with your finger least quartering your way. on the trigger, to slowly Swiftly and silently, you set make a fist, not breathing, yourself, rifle ready, safety staying on him BOOM!!!

For a second, you lose on, nestled butt first into the hollow of your shoulder. him in the muzzle flash. He leaps straight up in the air, You listen.

Another snap of a and coming down, kicks branch. Shuffling leaves; up and out at whatever his stop. Your eyes pierce the ancient, primal instincts woods, looking for move- have told him just bit him hard. He jumps—once, ment. twice, three times—and You see him.

He puts his nose you hear him, as he stops, down, and shuffles further stands unsteadily, almost about ten yards. Your heart out of sight, and stumbles, is pounding. You slow your once, and again; and then breathing. He’s coming over, legs kicking as in his into some open growth. His fading mind he runs, runs head behind some boughs, away from the danger.

You stop. You look you raise your rifle, and track him. You wait for a down at your rifle, and clear shot. You quietly snap open the action, and the empty shell casing slides off the safety.

He looks up, and out of the receiver. With a moves some more, and is wisp of blue smoke, it pops now in a shooting lane. You out to the ground; you stop and pick it up. Slowly, you line up on his shoulder.

He looks at you, not make your way to where sure what you are; but you you saw the buck run to.

When you found him, don’t move, you aren’t looking in his eyes, or at his just a few moments after antlers; you’re lining up the (Getting Out cont. pg 54)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 50

Vermont Ramblings

by Dennis Jensen, Vermont

Sitting at the desk, staring into the vertical, empty white space on my computer, I am trying to come up with a good topic for, arguably, the most challenging month of the year, at least for outdoors folks.

And the more I thought, the more I began to reflect on the astounding things we did, over the

ing the woods all alone and somewhat amazed at how close I could get to the number of squirrels out and about, looking for acorns. They were making a ruckus as they worked their way through the leaves, so much so that my noisy steps went unnoticed.

Then, just as I peaked a little hill, I spotted movement, a

The month of October is a gift, a gift of memories and the gift of today. years, during the month of October and the memories came flooding back.

Let me count the ways: That mid-October morn, after a freak, wet 6-inch snowfall that blanketed the woods as I sat in a sugar maple tree almost 40 years ago. I managed to release an arrow that went through the chest of a good-sized doe. That was my first Vermont deer in archery season and remains one of my best days in the woods.

That cold, windy late-October day, push-

turkey. Moments later, I looked on as a half-dozen birds were scratching the leaves about, searching for any food they could find. I had ducked down and, as they moved behind a little rise in the terrain, I lowcrawled another 10 yards or so. As the birds came out from behind the rise, I picked a large hen, pulled up and shot her.

Again in the turkey woods, I can clearly remember the morning when I first called in a flock of birds, back in the late 1970s. Jim and I set out

October 2020

The Sportsman’s Gift

one late October day and, glory be, there was a fresh, two-inches of snow on the ground. We would get to track the birds! About an hour into our hunt, we jumped one small flock too far out of range. Jim decided to head to the right and I swung down below.

I never saw those birds and, after about a half-hour, I stopped and sat on a big stump for a rest. I was on a small rise and could not see the terrain in front. I was calling intermittently and, a short while later, a snow squall came roaring down.

The snow was falling almost horizontally and, of course, I continued to call.

Suddenly, the head of a hen popped up in front of me, not 30 yards away. Gun in lap, I froze, the snow coming down like crazy. A few more birds appeared and then, still calling, I watched a big long beard come up over the rise. Then I saw something I had never seen before.

That tom fanned out, a second long beard appeared and he did the same. Then a third long beard came up and he too went into full

fan. Two more long beards followed but they did not display. With the snow still falling furiously, I had five long beards, at least three jake birds and about 20 hens right in front of me, all in shotgun range.

What to do? They

observation about turkey behavior; I have seen this before. If you have one or two birds before you and you move, they will scatter in a heartbeat. But for some reason, when there is a big group of the birds, they will putt, for sure, but

Whether fishing or hunting, October is a month for making memories that last a lifetime. were so close I feared that there is a delay in making by making a move, pull- a hasty getaway. It’s almost ing my shotgun up, they as if the birds are waiting would let loose with that for some kind of confirmagive-me-away putt. Any- tion.) way, I decided to act. One Anyway, when the big tom stepped behind a tom stepped out in front thick ash tree and, when he of that ash tree, I fired and did, I brought the shotgun he dropped, flopping. He up to my shoulder. (Here weighed over 19½-pounds, is a good place to make an (Gift cont. pg 52)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Praise for Print Outdoor Mags

The photo accompanying this column makes those of us who are anglers envious. Lyndonville resident Mike Wheeler landed the 12 pound, 29-1/2 inch

Growing up and during my middle years I read Field & Stream and Outdoor Life every month and dreamed of hunting and fishing the exotic places

also become a quarterly publication. Sports Afield is now bi-monthly and Fly Rod & Reel has suspended publication.

Just as I miss the newspapers I used to rely on, I also miss the sporting magazines I enjoyed each month. Damn social media

Page 51

Outdoors In Vermont

by Gary W. Moore, Bradford, VT novice hunters can take two legal bucks, provided one is taken during the youth or novice season, not to exceed the annual

In WMUs C, D1, D2, E1, E2, G, I, L, M, P, and Q a legal buck is any deer with at least one antler three inches or more in

Things have changed dramatically in the last twenty years and not just with newspapers. More and more people rely on the internet, online publications and social media for their news and information.

Mike Wheeler and 12 pound, 29-1/2 inch lake trout. lake trout while fishing they often depicted. I also Shadow Lake in Glover on carefully read the various how to articles and the July 21.

We are lucky to have equipment reviews. I was the Northwoods Sporting not alone. Both magazines Journal. It provides us with had large circulation numinformation we who hunt bers as did Sports Afield.

Outdoor Life is now and fish find valuable and many of the columns are published quarterly and enjoyable to read as well Field & Stream has announced that they will as informative.

We talk a lot about the loss of newspapers and the drastic reductions in newsroom staff brought about by changes in how we get our news. Many of those who vocally lament the losses never really supported them with their advertising which is what pays for reporters and editors.

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New Rules for Deer Hunting: There are new rules for deer hunting this year so it is important that we learn what is legal for the WMUs in which we plan to hunt.

No more than four deer may be taken per year and only one may be a legal buck. Youth and

limit of four deer. No antler restrictions apply for Youth Deer Weekend or Novice Weekend.

Archery season has been extended; however, the season is closed during the regular rifle season.

length.

In WMUs A, B, F1, F2, H, J1, J2, K, N, and O a legal buck is any deer with at least one antler with two or more antler points one inch in length or longer.

(Mags cont. pg 52)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 52

Gift

(Cont. from pg 50) had a nine-inch beard and one-inch spurs. It remains for me the greatest accomplishment, in the October turkey woods, ever.

I never even got to discuss all of the other offerings in October — bear hunting, the waterfowl season, the small game season and the youth hunts, all held in October.

The month of October is a gift, a gift of memories and the gift of today.

outdoor editor for the Rutland Herald and Barre Times Argus, a freelance writer and a longtime member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association. Contact him at d.jensen62@yahoo.com

Mags

(Cont. from pg 51) As a result of regional differences in deer habitat, deer density, hunting pressure, and winter severity the effect of regulations such as an antler restriction differs from one region to

another.

Fish and Wildlife points out that what works in parts of Vermont is unnecessarily restrictive in some areas and ineffective in others. Therefore, the antler restriction will remain in effect in some WMUs but be removed in others. The combination of the antler restriction and a one buck limit will allow more bucks to survive to older age classes.

Waterfowl Hunting Gets Hot in October: A Canada goose hunting season for resident and

Dennis Jensen is the

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Duck season this fall opens on October 10 in the Lake Champlain and Interior Vermont Zones and on October 6 in the Connecticut River Zone.

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Woodcock hunting season is October 1- November 14 statewide.

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

He may be reached by e-mail at gwmoore1946@ myfairpoint.net or at Box 454, Bradford, VT 05033.

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October 2020

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Vermont’s Archery Season

For many outdoorsmen and women, October is the high point of the year. Under the Harvest Moon, we are connected to our spirit at its most poignant. Hunters can stalk

back and we focus on our breathing. Deep in through the nose. Smell the decaying leaves. Out through the mouth under our camo mask. Standing slowly, when he turns away, being

to check the wind again.

Now he is broadside to us. Focus. Breathe in and slowly pull the trigger on the release. The arrow flies and a “thwack!” sound breaks the silence. The big buck jumps up and kicks his hind legs back. He lands on his front legs and

Page 53

Green Mountain Report

by Bradley Carleton, Charlotte, VT December 15 archery deer hunting season. A hunter may take up to four deer in Vermont’s two-part archery season if they do not shoot

A hunter may take up to four deer in Vermont’s two-part archery season if they do not shoot any deer in the other deer seasons.

they buckle beneath him.

It’s a solid hit. October is a blessing to us all.

The VT F&W says hunters are looking forward to Vermont’s upcoming October 1- November 13 and November 30 to

Since 1959

Opening Day - John Lesher of Burlington and Jimmy Dowd of Newburyport, MA. the whitetail with bows sure not to allow the tree and shoot ducks and geese stand to squeak. He is 40 with shotguns. Squirrels yards out now and behind are actively storing nuts a big oak. We can see his and jumping from branch head lower and his forelegs to branch, rabbits are zig- scrape the ground, searchzagging through the brush ing for white acorns. It is piles and the ever-present while he is behind the tree honking of Canada geese that we determine is the can be heard as they fly best time to draw our bow south from Hudson’s Bay. and hold until he steps out Everything is alive and form behind it. Six steps vibrant. The colors of au- toward us and he lifts his tumn adorn the maples head to check the wind. and a cool fog awakens He licks his nose and takes us in the morning. It is a four more steps toward cornucopia of fresh air, us. Now he is quartering fragrances of ripening nuts toward us and has closed and the sudden snap of a the distance to 32 yards. We twig as we sit on our stand. stand frozen, at full draw.

We can take it all in as we Breathe in through the nose sit on stand waiting for the and gently out through the snort of a big buck that mouth. As we breathe, we struts out into the field’s see his chest cavity fill with edge. The very sight of his air in rhythm with our own. majesty sends chills up our He turns ever so slightly

any deer in the other deer seasons. The purchase of an archery deer license and tag is required for each deer. No more than one of the deer taken during archery season may be a legal buck if no buck

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is taken in the other deer seasons. Antlerless deer hunting is allowed during archery season statewide this year In WMUs C, D1, D2, E1, E2, G, I, L, M, P, and Q a legal buck is any deer with at least one antler three inches or more in length. In WMUs A, B, F1, F2, H, J1, J2, K, N, and O a legal buck is any deer with at least one antler with two or more antler points one inch in length or longer. Hunters must have a standard hunting license to (Archery cont. pg 55)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 54

anything?” they ask the right place at the right Getting Out “See casually. time. But it doesn’t mat(Cont. from pg 48) the shot, he was already dead. You didn’t pump your arms or whoop. You just walked around in a circle, half-dazed. A buck!

You had to stop and think: what first? You gathered up your gear, you tied a transport tag to his antler and dressed him off. None of it seemed real.

You go to the local store, where you usually stop for breakfast, and you walk in. They greet you with the usual fanfare.

You try to act cool.

“Well, yes,” you say. “I’ve got a nice buck to register.” Their faces snap up.

“Really?” and the clerk darts out from behind the counter. “I’ll be a son of a gun,” they say, looking out the window. “That’s a nice one,” they report as they get the registration book.

In the coming days, weeks, months, and years, you’ll tell the story, probably at least a hundred times; how the unlucky buck surprised you, and how you just have to be in

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ter, you say—“I really just like getting out.” Truly, you mean it. But coming out with something for the freezer is just so, so much better.

Just getting out. It means something different to the devoted hunter.

Matt Dunlap is a sportsman from Old Town and is a periodic co-host on Maine Outdoors, heard statewide every Sunday night at 7:00 pm on WVOM 103.9 FM, WVQM 101.3 FM, and 1450 AM in Rockland.

October 2020

October 2020

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Musings on Moosehead’s Men

Page 55

Kineo Currents

It’s not possible to think about the Moosehead Lake Region without thinking about certain people. Charlie Davis was one of them. Charlie was the quintessential Fish & Game Warden, known far and wide for his fine work around Moosehead. Charlie lived in Shirley village, began working as a warden in 1962. By 2002, he was named Legendary Warden of the Year by the state. He was an original member of Maine’s Warden Service Search and Rescue Team and of the Dive Team, begun in the ’60s. Sadly, we lost him to cancer on Oct. 20, 2016. (2016 was a big year for goodbyes - Charlie, Surveyor and Penobscot man Francis Tomer, and my late husband, first Regional Fisheries Biologist Roger AuClair.)

So what was so special about Charlie? Why did so many people around here respect him? Why did so many up-and-coming wardens seek to emulate him? He was truly a kind man. He was an old school Maine man. (Roger and Francis were built of the same cloth.) Charlie was a

big man, comfortable in his own skin. He was known as steady, dependable, and dedicated. He lived the outdoor life, took seriously his position of upholding Maine fish and game laws, yet had the ability to serve, for example, a poaching ticket to a neighbor, and do it in such a way that the fellow not only knew he was caught in the wrong, but would shake Charlie’s

hand. Word got around that Charlie wouldn’t tolerate stealing, but was fair.

Charlie was so well respected that his service had to be held at the Greenville High School auditorium, which was packed to standing room only, with locals and people from around the state. One story told during his eulogies was how he could look a law-breaker in the eye with a kind, bright twinkle, say, and mean it, “If you’re hungry, I’ll feed ya.” Charlie knew who he was and what he was doing. He was

service.

The first Maine wardens were hired by Fish Commissioners in 1880. In 1878, Fish Commissioners reported to the governor that a small group of fishermen had taken 800 lbs. of trout out of Spencer Bay on Moosehead Lake to sell in Connecticut. As a result, in 1879, the Legislature set the first statewide season on landlocked salmon, brook trout, and lake trout, and it became illegal to sell them. Today, some known spawning areas are closed off to fishing for a short

Tim Obrey and anglers, this answer is now being recommended for a section of Lily Bay, a newly discovered important trout spawning area.

In addition to the wholesale taking of fish in the late 1800s, the state also faced the extirpation of caribou and moose, with trainloads of big game leaving the state, so new game laws were also established. In 1880, the Fisheries Commissioners also became responsible for enforcing those. This marked the beginning of

Archery

hunting them rarely speak about them in public. To learn where to hunt the timberdoodle you must build friendships with the civilized gentry and learn to drink single malt scotch.

It is only after a decade or two of proving your mettle and integrity will any of the madly passionate reveal any of their haunts – and likely they will slip up one night in front of a dying fire and having consumed one too many Glenfiddich shots. Now with a dog, you can strike out on your own.

Hunters live and die for the

strong cold fronts that push these upland sandpipers down from Canada. Until then, local birds provide some hunting, but the best shooting typically occurs from mid-to late October.

Woodcock are frequently found in the same places you find grouse. They feed primarily on worms, and they favor areas with moist, rich soils that are covered with dense stands of woody shrubs and sapling-stage hardwoods. Look for alder swales, regenerating clear cuts, and abandoned pastures covered with thickets

of dogwood, sumac, birch and aspen. The best hunting is generally in the Champlain Valley and Northeast Kingdom. Don’t forget: Federal law requires woodcock hunters to register (free!) with the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP).

(Cont. from pg 53) purchase an add-on archery deer hunting license, except that nonresidents may purchase an “archery only deer license” costing $75.

Licenses may be quickly and easily purchased on Fish & Wildlife’s website www.vtfishandwildlife. com Often overlooked by novice hunters, the woodcock is a magnificent migratory bird that those who are passionate about

also deeply religious. His personal relationship to his God was a calling for how he lived life and how he approached his work as a warden. He didn’t just say words. He meant them and lived by them. Not only did the people turn out for the loss of this wonderful man, but the men in red, old and young, turned out to stand in a bright line in the back of the room throughout his

by Suzanne AuClair, Rockwood, ME time so that Moosehead Lake’s stellar brook trout have time to reproduce. In his quiet wisdom, Roger found this answer years ago. It’s helped. After much discussion between current Fisheries Biologist

the Maine Warden Service.

In 1881, 60 fish wardens were hired at $25 a year.

Soon, game wardens were established, to enforce the first laws giving legal protection to Maine moose and deer. Charlie proudly served as part of that protectorate.

He lived the outdoor life, took seriously his position of upholding Maine fish and game laws, and do it in such a way Suzanne AuClair is that the fellow not only knew he was caught in the wrong, an avid outdoorswoman. but would shake Charlie’s hand.

Bradley Carleton is the founder and Executive Director of www.sacredhunter.org which teaches the public respect and empathy through hunting and fishing.

She lives in Rockwood and has been writing about the Moosehead Lake Region for 25 years. Her late husband, Roger P. AuClair, inspired her to produce “The Origin, Formation & History of Maine’s Inland Fisheries Division,” an anthology of management projects written in the firstperson by many of the men, and the one woman of the time, who did them.

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 56

Me & Joe (Cont. from pg 7)

away, then froze as something up the slope caught his attention. He reached out quickly with one flapping arm and hit Joe on the back. The nudge was enough to jerk Joe’s finger on the trigger. The rifle cracked and a beech limb 50 yards downhill folded slowly to the ground. The big buck, 100 yards further down, spun around and disappeared into the black growth behind him.

Joe turned on Jillpoke with a snarl. “Dang it, Poke! You don’t cuff a man when he’s aimin’! I got half a mind to…”

“The mounting lion!

The mounting lion! There he is, up above that ledge!”

Jillpoke gestured wildly up the hill.

We all turned. I caught a hurried glimpse of tawny fur and just the tip of a long tail, as a large animal turned into a depression that curved diagonally down the slope in our direction.

“He’s comin’ for us!”

Jillpoke shouted. “He’s a comin’ for us, fang an’ claw! An’ me with no riflegun!”

Joe eased around to face where the long depression opened up just above us on the slope. He worked the action, ejecting the empty shell and chambering a fresh one.

“Can’t shoot a mountain lion,” Tobin said tensely.

“I don’t aim to git clawed an’ bit, either,” Joe said, lifting the gun to port arms.

All of us started to

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move back, when I caught another flash of tan hide and a big animal turned out of the ravine and headed toward us. Joe shouldered the rifle, then quickly lowered it again.

“Shootimshootimshootim!” Jillpoke shrieked, backing against a tree, one hand clutching his chest and the other held out to ward off an attack.

“It’s a dog,” Joe said.

“Shootimshootim… what?”

A big golden retriever came bouncing toward us, tail wagging, tongue hanging out. He went right to Jillpoke, stood on his hind legs, and placing a paw on either shoulder, began to lick the astonished man’s face.” “ I t ’s E b e n R a m down’s golden, Boot,” I said. Hearing his name, the dog dropped down and walked on over to be petted, tail wagging rhythmically. Jillpoke wiped his red face with a coat sleeve.

“I was in Eben’s Emporium this mornin’, layin’ in a supply chew.”

“Ol’ Boot, he likes to ride on the back of trucks,” Joe grinned as the dog

pranced back over to and tried to slide his head under the embarrassed Jillpoke’s hand. “He must have slid out the door when you left, and rode all the way up the mountain on the back of your truck. He’s colored like a mountain lion, but I doubt he’ll go 400 pound, Poke.”

“As I said, there are no mountain lions in Maine,” Tobin spoke up. “This is just another case of an excited citizen misidentifying a common species of Maine wildlife.”

Jillpoke flushed even redder. “Misidentify my left ankle! I ain’t so sure that what I seen was this here dog! I ain’t about to take no dog for no cat!

C’mon, Boot, let’s be gittin’ you home.” He stalked off toward the Jeep, Tobin Genus following close behind.

“I realize it’s hard to accept, Fibb, but the fact is, incidents like this occur all the time.”

“I ain’t no incident. I know what I saw.”

“But surely you must realize…”

“I ain’t listenin’!”

Jillpoke covered his ears

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October 2020 with both hands. “Ain’t listenin’!”

I grinned at the two men walken off, the retriever following close on their heels. Glancing at Joe, I started to say something.

But he was standing with the rifle hanging limp in one hand, gazing intently up the slope in the other direction.

“By the outcropping of grantite,” he said softly.

“Right at the top of the ridge.”

I followed the ridgeline and caught movement.

Something tawny in color moved along the rock face and disappeared over the top of the rise. Imprinted on my retina was the image of a big cat, long trail curved near the ground behind it.

My mouth felt dry.

“Maybe it was a lynx. But, that tail…”

“I been up by that outcropping,” Joe said slowly.

“Whatever it was is as high as the rock and that granite sticks three feet outa the ground. Ain’t no 400 pounds, but I bet it’ll break a hundred.”

“We got to do something.” I broke out of my trance. “We got to get the others…”

“We got to do nothing!” Joe grabbed my arm.

He stared at me. “Jist let it lie.”

I stared at him, thought for a few moments, and slowly nodded my head.

He let go of my arm.

“Let’s go an’ git Boot an’ Jillpoke back to town before one or the other of ‘um drives Tobin to drink.”

We set off along the slope, each of us occasionally glancing back over a shoulder toward the top of the ridge, mindful of the cold wind, and the rapid approach of night.

Northwoods Sporting Journal

October 2020

Beaded Body Flies

Bead head fly patterns in one form or another have been around for a long time, evidenced by the use of beaded shad flies at least as far back as the 1950s. It wasn’t until I glanced through a book by Joe Warren, titled “Tying Glass Bead Flies” that I found out about innovative bodies that have more than one bead placed together on the hook to substitute for more typical materials. Beads can be used for nymph, streamer, wet fly, emerger, and possibly even some of the larger dry flies.

They add weight, color, segmentation, translucency and sparkle to otherwise drab fly patterns. Local fly shops and craft stores usually have a good selection of colors and sizes available. Prior to adding beads,

they must be matched with bend. The use of round the proper hook size. Fol- bend hooks will also make lowing is a table that I use the process easier. Another alternative is to slightly as a guide.

The first step is to straighten the bend with a Hook Size Diameter (in) (mm) 2/0-4

3/16

5

x-large

6-8

5/32

4

large

10-14

1/8

3

medium

Page 57

Fly Fishing

by Joe Bertolaccini, Orrington, ME one or two layers of thread, or whatever it takes, can be wound as an underbody to provide a snug fit that will keep the beads in place.

and slide the beads tightly against them making sure to allow sufficient room for the head and tie off the thread. Retie the thread

It is important that beads lie tightly 16-20 3/32 2 small against one another and do not twist on slide the beads on the hook pair of needle nose pliers to the hook, otherwise any palmered and push them against the reduce the curvature, slip materials will loosen. eye to allow room for the butt or tail. Depending on hook size, it may be necessary to pinch down the barb to slide them on. If the bead has two different size openings, I find it helpful to start the point of the hook through the smaller hole which allows more room for the rear of the bead to slide around the hook

on the beads and return the bend to its original shape.

That should not weaken the hook if done only once, carefully. Other options can include using a fine wire hook or one with a wide gap to reduce the curvature of the bend. Once the beads are on the hook shank you may find that they fit rather loosely. If that’s the case,

It is important that beads lie tightly against one another and do not twist on the hook, otherwise any palmered materials will loosen. A light coat of head cement on the underbody will prevent this from happening. Next, the butt or tail is added along with palmering material

behind the eye tight to the beads, binding down all loose materials and whip finish, completing the fly.

This same general procedure can be used for many standard patterns using beads in the proper size and color for body and thorax materials.

(Flies cont. pg 66)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 58

The Singing Maine Guide

by Randy Spencer, Grand Lake Stream, ME Whether to hire a guide: it’s a question that’s coming up more and more this year, as people go on outings closer to home.

But it’s actually a good question to ask whether it’s a vacation in your home state, or an outdoor adventure in another state. Here’s a suggested guideline to use if you happen to be undecided about whether to hire a guide at your destination.

Do you know the area where you’ll be staying, or can it be learned quickly?

If this is a repeat visit after many other visits, you may

already know enough to get by on your own. If you’re there to fish, you probably already know where you can put in your own boat,

Guide or No Guide?

that’s an argument for hiring a guide.

In these situations, size matters. If it’s an 80 acre pond and you’ve got a map, this body of water can most likely be learned quickly. And learning it is fun. You may happen onto explosive fishing by acci-

and easy to spot, or are the best ones hidden in places you wouldn’t necessarily check? You might consider that your bird guide has already done that work and may even have permission on lands where you don’t.

If you only have one day, or even just a few, wouldn’t it

If you’re a first-timer, and know none of these things, that’s an argument for hiring a guide. or where you can rent one.

You may have explored those waterways with a depth map, and now you know where the danger lies–where the shoals and ledge rocks are, where the deep holes are, and where the bottom structure is that you prefer for good fishing.

If you’re a first-timer, and know none of these things,

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dent, but you’ll set a waypoint for that spot so you can return to it next time.

If, on the other hand, it’s a 12 or 14 thousand acre lake with islands and glacial erratics strewn everywhere, start thinking guide. Your safety comes first, and it’s the easiest thing in the world to get lost on a lake like that. Throw in some fog or adverse weather conditions, and the danger doubles.

If your trip is about bird hunting, pretty much the same guideline applies. Is your target area small or large? Would it be easy to get lost, fall down an old well, or into an overgrown cellar hole?

Are good covers plentiful

be nice to be concentrating only on the best covers instead of searching for them yourself for hours on end, not knowing if you’re even on the right track?

Back to fishing, your fishing guide has done the same work on his home waters as the bird guide has done on his or her home territory. He or she can spare you the non-fishing time spent wandering (not that all wandering is bad!), or worrying if you were going to hit something and do damage to the lower unit of your outboard. And what if there’s no one around? Or if the weather changed and you got lost?

Generally, when people do a cost/benefit analy-

sis on hiring a guide vs. not hiring one, hiring a guide usually wins, and here’s why: If you’ve traveled to an unfamiliar destination to catch fish, or to enjoy a day of wingshooting woodcock or grouse, then why not go with a guide and get right to it? When you think it through, you could easily spend far more time and money to come up with a poorer outcome than if you’d sprung for the guide’s fee and went with a professional. And here’s an interesting factoid: Most people who decide in favor of a guide, do so the next time too. Turns out they appreciate the recon done by someone else ahead of time, ensuring an exciting day for you.

Don’t worry, there’s still room for wanderlust and experimentation. Any good guide has done plenty of that on their own. Get out there as much as you can! Sometimes, never mind the fish or game tally at the end of the day. Think instead, of whether you both lost, and found your(Guide cont. pg 68)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Rapala’s DT Series

Can color really make a major difference when it comes to enticing bass to inhale your crankbait? No doubt this question has a

and Citrus Shad, plus two natural crayfish patterns; Rootbeer Crawdad and Chartreuse Crawdad.”

Five of the current six

Pro Custom color patterns.

They are the DT-Series size 4, 6, 10, 14 and 16. The current DT-Series size 20 will only add the three new baitfish patterns, Big Shad, Green Gizzard Shad and Citrus Shad to the present

Page 59

Best Bassin’

by Bill Decoteau, Hampden, MA ite offshore color is the Green Gizzard Shad. “I believe the subtle muted hues throughout this en-

is adamant color can make a major difference! In fact, the MLF/FLW Champion, claims it entices the largest

In less than two-years five national professional bass tournaments have been won by Rapala Pro Anglers utilizing DT-Series Crankbaits.

color selection.

DeFoe and fellow Rapala Pro Angler Jacob Wheeler are quick to comment on the color hues of long history of deep discus- DT-Series size crankbait the newly designed DT sions among bass anglers. models will include all Pro Custom color patterns.

However, I believe the five of the newly designed Wheeler says his favormost successful crankbait anglers do indeed try to mimic their fellow fly fishing anglers and therefore try to “match the hatch!

In less than two-years five national professional bass tournaments have been won by Rapala Pro Anglers utilizing DT-Series Crankbaits. Two who were cranking prototype ProDesigned Custom Color DT-Series Crankbaits. (DT stands for dives to.) Their total monetary purse of over $500,000.00 netted by Ott Defoe, Jacob Wheeler, Mike Iaconelli, Seth Feider and Terry Bolton should be enough to persuade you ‘matching the hatch’ does matter.

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tire color pattern actually imitates a wide variety of baitfish forage all across America!” When it comes to triggering a school of bass to bite, Jacob Wheeler

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Page 60

Northwoods Sporting Journal

“Just Fishing”

October Orange

I’m referring to colorblazoned spawning coldwater brook trout and landlocked salmon, complete with hook bills and razor- honed teeth, ready for battle. Males of the species will be advancing inland on the battleground of guarded territories, along gravel strewn crystalline shores of splashing waters during the cooling month that comes in unbridled by the changeable weather.

You never know what October will offer weatherwise in making future

if you like to fish at dusk until dark, you won’t have to wait long---not even for a late supper.

Last year, as I recall, we were driven off the fly-casting waters in the first week of October, with a driving rainstorm for two whole days. Now, I don’t mind a little rain, but this baby with its chilling winds and piercing raindrops came on like little arrows of pain. Needless to say, we watched a lot of it, as the hours rolled by--warming frozen fingers and

toes in the comfort of the truck cab.

It wasn’t a total loss, as we at least compared imitation fishing lures, and choosing the one to try on the next flycast for salmon.

Those chosen few were: Woods special, Barnes special, Rangeley centennial, tri-color, Dick’s special, Mansfield, Cathance special, and a few others with a hint of orange.

Why do orange flies hold an attraction to late season cold-water fish?

Good question. One answer might be the spawned eggs spewed from the female and tinted orange and, males of the species are known to sneak a mouthful at times. Too, the season is splashed with orange, as mentioned before. It’s hunting time and the wearing of orange florescent clothing. It’s harvest time for orange and roughed apples, orange tomatoes and on and on…

Oka y, how a bout

Rapala's

pumpkin back, chartreuse sides with a crawdad shell pattern, orange belly and throat, and covered in metallic green flake.

•Rootbeer Crawdad; green-pumpkin back, bone-colored sides with crawdad shell pattern, orange belly, and throat and covered in metallic green flake.

Pro’s Tip: Both DeFoe and Wheeler suggest in clear to lightly stain water, angler’s turn to color patterns with more natural muted colors in green, brown or silver tones.

While stained to muddy water situations call for brighter color Rapala DTSeries crankbaits.

Having won the 2019

Bassmaster Classic on a Rapala DT-4 crankbait as well as the Major League Fishing March 2020 Lake Fork Championship on a DT-10 using a prototype Big Shad color I asked the Classic Champion, “What made the Rapala DT-Series crankbaits different from most other crankbaits on the market?”

Without hesitation Ott replied, “DT crankbaits are made of balsa wood a natural product not manmade. Rapala baits are hand-tuned and tank tested for perfect balance, the internal weights and rattles are designed for quick diving to specific depths. They swim with a natural side-to-side action,

by Bob Leeman, Bangor, ME By orange, I don’t mean painted horizons, color splashed hillsides, mirrored still waters, or orange aid. But, those will be there too.

fishing plans. But, for the most part, it’s a pretty fair time of year to be outside.

Be ready though for shorter days with late sun rises and early sunsets. That means,

Why do orange flies hold an attraction to late season cold-water fish?

Good question.

(Cont. from pg 59) hues are: Big Shad; a metallic green-purple back, gold lateral-line stripe, silver sides, gray-green belly and black shad spot.

• G re e n G i z z a r d Shad; a metallic greenpumpkin back, silver scalepattern and metallic white sides with a black shad spot.

•Citrus Shad; skyblue/green back, chartreuse and metallic white sides, chartreuse belly with an orange throat.

•Chartreuse Rootbeer Crawdad; green-

where to go fishing with orange flies. Personally, I prefer the cooling, clean, rushing waters that river and streams offer during the late-season fly fishing stint, where available.

Many of you have a favor-

as the tapered fuselage and thin tail design creates the ultimate crankbait action, only balsa crankbaits can achieve. Perfectly weighted to rest in a “quick-dive” nose down position the DT-Series slowly rises as it moves backwards triggering more strikes and eliminating hang-ups when swimming through brush piles or downed timber.”

When it comes to fishing the DT-Series Crankbaits Ott DeFoe allows water temperature dictate his speed of retrieve. Warmer water temperatures call for faster retrieves, while cooler water temperatures require a bit slower retrieve. “Always make certain your crankbait is hit-

October 2020

“biddie” time, too.

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

Autumn is the sportsman’s dream.

Time for doing it all, or “cast and blast” as the saying goes. ite. My hot spots in Maine radio program on Sunday are East Outlet and Grand evenings from 7-8 p.m. His Lake Stream. There are three books are all availother locations that offer able, in soft cover only, frost-nipped fly-fishing at several bookstores and during October. Check fly shops, or directly from your law book, to be sure. him. For information on Don’t forget your long- his books, please call 207johns and scatter gun. It’s 217-2550. ting something, be it the bottom or isolated cover...

Hit it hard and fast this is what triggers bass to bite!”

(Follow Pro Angler Ott DeFoe at www.ottdefoe.com) God Bless and Best Bassin’ Billy “Hawkeye” Decoteau is an outdoor journalist with a strong passion for pursuing the Black Bass. His activities include; emceeing The Bass University weekend educational seminar programs, as well as emceeing benefit tournaments such as Maine’s Annual May Special Olympics Team Tournament, Fishing For Freedom, and working with the USO.

Northwoods Sporting Journal

October 2020

Page 61

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 62

Mass Wanderings Every year I look forward to my annual striper fishing trip with Capt. Seth Megargle, (captsethsportfishing.com) with trepidation because the ocean and I don’t get along, especially when I’m in a boat. From shore we get along great, at sea, not so much. And after last year’s puke fest where I laid down some pretty impressive chum lines, the forecast for another day like that looked like it was in the cards again seeing as the weather forecast called for 15-20 mph winds with gusts up to 25mph. The only difference from last year’s weather though was that the wind was coming from the North and not the East. Capt. Seth assured me that was a huge difference and that we, (me especially), would be fine.

October 2020

Short and Sweet Stripers

kicking in too. BAM. FISH ON! While Jim Preite was reeling hard, BAM, the

by David Willette, other rod got whacked and N. Adams, MA Bill Groves was reeling As a precaution, I took a hard. Jim got his 42”er in prescription strength Dra- the boat and it was quickly mamine while we were released. Bill landed his on-route.

31” and it too was releasedWe arrived at the right into the cooler. dock right at 11a.m. after It’s now Tony Conia three-hour drive and on glio’s and my turn to have the dock, the weather and a seat in the fishing chairs

As a precaution, I took a prescription strength Dramamine while we were on-route. the water seemed perfect.

We shoved off and I could already feel sweat forming on the back of my neck as if I was waiting for a painful medical procedure. A half hour later we had our umbrella rigs in the water and we were trolling. So far so good, for the first five minutes anyways. My eyes started to get a little heavy so I knew that the drug was kicking in and just about that time the bite started

and 15 minutes later it was a repeat performance. I landed a 42” and Tony landed another 31”er. We haven’t been fishing more than a ½ hour and we had half our limit. The same story repeated itself a couple more times-as Yogi Berra would say, “it was like Deja’ Vu all over again”. We fished for two hours that day and landed nine stripers, three were 42” ers, and eight of those nine were doubled

The Sebago Region

up. One guy said, “this is like shooting a ten-pointer on opening morning”.

Capt. Seth asked if we wanted to stay out and continue to fish for fun but everyone seemed ambivalent about it, (I really didn’t want to stay out if we didn’t have too), so we pulled up and went back to the dock.

And lo and behold the ride back was pretty rough as the wind and the swells picked up and by the time we got back it was blowing pretty good so it looked like we made another wise decision. Fishing just for fun in rough seas does not sound like a good time.

But none of that happened as there were big smiles all around. I tried to compare it to how I feel when I shoot a buck just at daylight on opening day and that I never really had a chance to hunt and sometimes that doesn’t give me a great feeling. I hardly had a chance to enjoy the hunt.

But the ocean is different and the least amount of time I have to spend out there to accomplish my goal is fine with me.

David Willette is the author of , “Coyote Wars”.

He can be contacted at coyotewars@gmail.com

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October 2020

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Sinking Lines Work!

When mother nature whipped up the recipe for what would end up being the 2020 fishing season, she started out with all the right ingredients but

that’s not how weather and science work, but sometimes it feels better to just pretend that I’ve figured out what each season will bring beforehand.

people genuinely despise fishing with a sinking fly line – even when the conditions and lack of fish on the surface clearly dictate that fishing sub-surface is the best option. Some clients are self-proclaimed “traditionalists” who plant their feet firmly in the belief that casting a dry fly is the only true form of fly fishing. That’s all well and

Page 63

Ramblings From T8-R9

by Benjamin Rioux, Millinocket Lake capitalize on these feeding habits, and will often save a day when traditional dry flies don’t cut the mustard.

In fact, I have found that even when obvious hatches and surface level feeding are at their peak, trout will

primary key to success.

There are many sinking lines on the market, but the line Libby guides utilize most commonly is the 200 grain Orvis “Depth Charge” line. This line has a 30 ft heavy sink tip, fol-

After five years of guiding, it still amazes me how many people genuinely despise fishing with a sinking fly line – even when the conditions and lack of fish on the surface clearly dictate that fishing sub-surface is the best option.

Sinking Lines, when fished properly, can really bring home the bacon! (Photo by Ben Rioux) botched the final product when she forgot to add water. Fishing in Maine tends to be that way, and a quick look at my notes from the last few seasons shows an emerging biyearly pattern of too much rain, followed by years of not nearly enough. I know

With the 2020 season being one decidedly void of rain or moisture of any kind, sinking lines played a significant roll in any fishing success we found with clients from late June through September. After five years of guiding, it still amazes me how many

good, but planning your day around this theory essentially ignores what we know about how and where trout feed.

While these numbers are not exact and nearly everything can be debated these days, roughly 10% of what a trout eats is on the surface. What is on the surface at any give time largely depends on weather, water temperature, and what is hatching during those ever-changing variables. The subsurface layer sees similar levels of activity, with trout taking another 10% of their diet just below the surface film.

Emerger patterns like the Klinkhammer that sit on the surface but hang down into the subsurface layer

more often than not still crash emerger patterns as much as high floating dries.

The middle is the least active in most bodies of water in terms of feeding, seeing activity in the 5% range.

The rest of the feeding – nearly 75%, takes place down on the bottom where fish feed on bottom dwelling insects and baitfish. It is because of this that in most ponds worth fishing, a good sinking line and the willingness and ability to cast it effectively is the

lowed by a 20 ft moderate sinking section, followed by an intermediate sink running line to create a fly line that gets to the bottom fast and uniformly. This allows you to strip your streamer or nymph along the bottom for as long as possible while keeping your offering in the feeding zone. While intimidating, these lines are not as difficult to cast as many people initially think. The key is getting the entire sink tip to (Sinking cont. pg 67)

Page 64

Malarkey Cabin Chronicles

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Grouse Woods Flashbacks

by Ray Dillon, Keswick Ridge, N.B.

The 12-gauge shotgun lurched back slightly in my grip as it spewed fire from its muzzle and the loud noise it made echoed across the frosty landscape fol-

October 2020

when I took him. Hunters aren’t always so fortunate. The “Partridge” as we “New Brunswickers “ call these game birds are well known for their ability to

them down.

October is a magical time in our province with fresh crisp mornings and the hillsides splashed in scarlet red, lemon yellow and pumpkin orange colors, fading shades of green and browns under an azure blue sky. Flocks of noisy Canada Geese fly

The weather for early October that year was quite cool and I recall giving Al my hunting jacket one afternoon as we hunted a cover. Wet snowflakes were falling and the stylish hunting clothing he had on just wasn’t keeping him warm.

lowed by the rapid sound of Ruffed grouse wings beating the air, dead leaves and the cold ground. I was lucky. I had caught this old drummer strutting on a log some forty feet distant

burst from the underbrush at almost blinding speed and thunder off into the safety of a distant cover, unscathed by a load of number seven and a half bird shot meant to bring

in their V formation with white marshmallow clouds drifting lazily along under an amber autumn sun. On Al and his lab, Slick with the day’s bag. the ground, hunters dressed in blaze orange lugging roads, or weave through of the wily grouse. Some shotguns walk old logging hardwood ridges in search (Grouse cont. pg 65)

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

October 2020

Grouse (Cont. from pg 64) hunters use a faithful bird dog in their quest, while others rely on their eyes and ears to find the “thunder birds.”

Some of my best memories are of bird hunts with my son or my brothers or guiding clients from all over North America. Right now the Covid virus is keeping borders closed. In various media surveys, up to eighty percent of Canadians responded in favor of keeping the border closed due to the fear of spreading the virus. The USA has reacted in the very same sensible manner. The USA and Canada are members of the same family with like- minded interests and

mutual benefits that unite us as a big North American family and that is how it should be.

As I stated, some of my best memories are from past years and past hunts and over the years I have enjoyed some fantastic adventures hunting birds.

I can still recall the very first bird hunt I guided far back some thirty one years ago. Although I had hunted Ruffed grouse since I was a boy, I had never guided hunters of any sort. The hunters arrived in a SUV on Sunday afternoon complete with top shelf shotguns and a couple of beautiful bird dogs. It was the beginning of a very memorable week.

These guys had never hunted in Canada before and I had never guided, let alone guiding hunters who

Beautiful Bowlin Lodge & Cabins is a remote self-sufficient off grid property with gravity fed spring water, generators, telephone and internet on the shore of the East Branch of the Penobscot River. We are remotely situated in the unorganized territories of T4 & T5 R8, NW of Patten Maine. Currently operating as a Sporting Camp, Bowlin has a Lodge with a modern commercial kitchen, 13 cabins with private baths (7 with kitchens), and 14 outbuildings on 28 acres with 1462’ of river frontage. A separate 236 acres on a 1 mile gravel road along 6400’ of river frontage is included. Operating equipment, furnishings, sporting supplies and approved development plans convey with the sale. The East Branch of the Penobscot River has some of the finest fly fishing in Maine with naturally reproducing brook trout, salmon and small mouth bass. Hundreds of lakes, streams and ponds make up the watershed of the area with miles of old logging roads for wildlife and Moose watching, hiking, biking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, & hunting. Historic Bowlin is adjacent to thousands of acres of protected lands as your only neighbor. $3,500,000

hunted with bird dogs.

The hunters hailed from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, but had connected on a hunting trip to the Midwest a couple of years before. Al, from PA, was quite a bit older than Cliff and he hunted over a black lab named Slick.

He had an easy going kind manner about him and he loved his dog and hunting uplands birds. Cliff was a bit more intense, but he loved hunting with his beautiful springer Spaniel Cookie. Both hunters were excellent shooters and during the week, bagged several woodcock each and a lot of Ruffed grouse.

The weather for early October that year was quite cool and I recall giving Al my hunting jacket one afternoon as we hunted a

cover. Wet snowflakes were falling and the stylish hunting clothing he had on just wasn’t keeping him warm.

I took off my warm hunting jacket and insisted that he wear it. Young bones can withstand an onslaught of cold weather much better than old bones and we finished out the day limiting out on grouse and with Al comfortable and warm.

Cliff limited out that day as well and he had come better prepared for the colder Canadian climate.

I enjoyed hunting over the dogs with the guys and found that I would love guiding clients. On one occasion that week, we saw a bull moose and on another Al and I walked up on two big bucks fighting on an old logging trail. One evening as we all drove homeward

Bosebuck Mountain Camps steeped with legendary sporting traditions established in the early 1900’s has been welcoming sportsmen, families, and corporate retreats for generations.

Located on Aziscohos Lake in the Magalloway River Region offering first class fishing for every type of angler. A renown fishery known by experienced anglers that return year after year. The lodge and cabins offer year-round access for the four seasons of sporting adventures. Boat rentals and guides are available. Fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, or just plain relaxing by the fire with a good book. Aziscohos Lake is a breathtaking long narrow body of water with islands and inlets sheltered by the mountains. Its name arrives from the Androscoggin Indians meaning “many little evergreens.” It is situated in the heart of 200,000 acres of forest, the four season lodge and cabins are within casting distance of the lake offering 12 rentals with a meal plan in the historical lodge. Unplug and recharge your batteries away from the real world, as no cell range and internet are part of the Bosebuck experience. Step back in time to enjoy what is important in life, nature, family, and friends…rediscover the “art of taking it easy!” It will become a treasured gift with cherished memories of Bosebuck Mountain Camps! $2,200,000

Page 65 we came upon a haggard doe deer with four fawns in tow. We were all thrilled since it is almost unheard of that a doe will have four fawns.

Alas, the week ended too soon but the guys limited out on birds every day and had a fantastic time as did I. We had a great time and were left with great memories!

Ray Dillon is an Outdoor writer, bestselling book author, Professional Guide and owns/operates Malarkey Cabin Guiding Service in New Brunswick, Canada. To book a trophy Big Game or Uplands Bird hunt with him, go to www.malarkeycabin.com phone 506-363-2839 or e-mail rdillon@rogers.com

Bernard Camps…a haven from the outside world, a place to reconnect with the important things nature, family, friends, feelings of joy, peace, & contentment. A remote wilderness compound that is self sufficient with 600’+- of lake frontage on one of the legendary lakes statewide. Across from the camps are conservation lands to remain forever wild, a view unsurpassed from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Three fully furnished lakefront cabins,with their own private dock and baths, plus a cabin for sporting camp rentals or a family retreat. An area to launch your boat directly from the property. Original cabins from 1925-1940’s have been lovingly maintained with most of their original charm, known as the Bernard Camps for over 75 years. Updates with modern amenities such as power and bathrooms with hot showers in each cabin. Three modern septic systems, a 16 battery bank system with inverter provide modern comforts, yet a remote experience 13 miles from the nearest paved road. The location on this chain of lakes provides a unique opportunity for miles of navigable waters offering adventures for the outdoor enthusiasts.

Whether fishing, hunting, paddling, swimming, or relaxing by the lake these camps in a remote setting with thousands of acres is a rare opportunity to own. Excellent rental history with guests that have returned year after year create memories with folks that are important in your life. Extra acreage available. $425,000

DEB HENDERSON MAINE OUTDOOR PROPERTIES TEAM REALTY OF MAINE 207-852-7577 deb@maineoutdoorproperties.net www.maineoutdoorproperties.net www.landleader.com North Country Lodge is the ultimate hunting exp. for bear, moose, coyotes, grouse, and woodcock. Located 11 miles north of Patten and 25 miles from Baxter State Park plus the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument. Lodge and two homes are situated on 100+ ac. in the North Maine Woods just off the Aroostook Scenic Highway in Moro Plantation.

The lodge provides comfortable accommodations with daily cleaning service, linens and towels, hot showers, three home cooked meals in the dining room serving 36-40, guided bear hunting in an area of over 600 square miles and 120 baited sites. Transportation to and from hunting areas. Several different packages available for Moose, Grouse, & Woodcock hunting also. A heated garage with two overhangs, a bait building, plus another building for butchering, deboning, freezing and walk in cooler. The homes provide a private entrance with extra sleeping accommodations and bathrooms. Beautiful log homes for owners or guests with a professional office space in one of the homes. A third home on its own acreage that abuts the property sold separately. Well maintained with attention to detail in every structure and sporting adventure. Inventory list available upon request.

The time has arrived to transition the property to new owners. $1,290,000

An authentic Maine Sporting Camp established in 1929 and ran as a boy’s camp until around 1937. Nicatous Lake Lodge & Cabins has been established to the present day with a handful of owners who cherish the historical Maine sporting traditions. The experience is dominated by Lake Nicatous and Nicatous Stream which are pristine wilderness waterways. Many customers today are the direct descendants of guests that came to the Lodge 70 years ago! Designed for those who truly appreciate the simple, meaningful things in life: the pleasure of a warm fire, the healing ability of cool, crystal clear water, and the joy of early morning light when the fish are biting! Off grid with round the clock use of electricity due to generated battery storage. Nicatous Lake Region is a vast protected wilderness area to remain forever wild.

Nicatous Lake Lodge & Cabins has been well maintained by current owners, the property can be run year round or seasonally. The lifestyle of owning Nicatous Lake Lodge & Cabins offers a haven from the outside world where one can be connected to a healthy natural environment offering endless adventures for your journey in life! $839,000

Breathtaking views of Mt. Katahdin and the East Grand Lake Region, the First Settlers Lodge offers a haven from the outside world with first class amenities. Acres of unspoiled countryside compliment the panoramic views of the mountain, lake, hills, and valleys. A place to reconnect with friends, family, and nature whether sitting by the fireside with a good book or out on a trail with hiking boots, snowshoes, cross country skis, ATV’s or snowmobiles. The four season lodge has something for everyone…reunions, retreats, celebrations, meetings, hunting, fishing, or the forgotten art of relaxing. Private baths, luxury accommodations, plus a bunk room that sleeps 9 for the group that wants to eat, play, and share stories of the day’s adventures together. Satellite TV, internet, and a full service restaurant from the commercial kitchen. The lodge is coming furnished except for the seller’s private furnishings. An inventory list is available upon request.

Experience the opportunity to work from home in a well maintained, move in ready property. First Settler’s Lodge would also make a great home for a large extended family. A place to renect with the important things in life, family, friends, nature, and a healthier lifestyle. $799,000

Page 66

Flies

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Head – Black thread.

(Cont. from pg 57) Following are examples of patterns that can be added to your fly box.

Beaded Wooly Bugger

Hook – Streamer hook, 4x long, size 4 to 10.

Thread – 6/0, yellow at the rear, black for the head.

Tail – Clump of yellow marabou.

Palmered hackle – Soft grizzly tied in by the tip.

Body – Four to six gold or yellow beads.

18.

Thread – 6/0, Green for the butt and black for the head.

Butt – Ball of green thread or dubbing to match color of beads.

Body – Three to five translucent green beads, number and size to match the hook.

Head – Black fur dubbing.

October 2020

Brian Smith of East Machais arrowed this 360 lb boar in Whiting. Smith has taken 17 black bear boars with a bow, three have made Pope and Young. This bear was the largest taken with a bow in Maine in 2008. Smith, who is the Washington County representative to the Fish and Wildlife Advisory Council, will be in his bear stand this fall. Stay tuned!

Joe has enjoyed fly fishing for over 65 years.

His book, Fundamentals of Beaded Caddis Fly Fishing, is now availLarva Hook – Wide gap nymph able. He can be reached at: hook, 2x long, size 12 to brewerberts@aol.com

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October 2020

Sinking

(Cont. from pg 63) the surface before starting your cast, and limiting your false casts to two or three.

Generally, I will strip this line until 10-15 feet is all that remains in the water.

A quick roll cast will get the remaining line to the surface, and from there you can pick it up and shoot line after a few false casts. How far you need to cast depends largely on how deep the pond you are fishing is. A good goal when you are just starting out is to be able to cast AT LEAST the

Northwoods Sporting Journal

thirty-foot sinking section with relative ease. I have found that practicing on the lawn or from the shore of a small pond is much easier than learning from a boat or canoe. Because these lines are heavy, timing is different and can only really be learned with sufficient practice. Once you can shoot enough line to fish a significant stretch of the bottom, a slow retrieval and a properly timed hookset should bring you copious amounts of success when temperatures climb and rising fish are not present.

So the next time you find yourself on a pond with no visible surface activity, try exercising a little bit of patience and fishing with a sinking line along the bottom. It might not bring the surface crashing

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excitement of dry fly fishing, but when done right I can all buy guarantee that you’ll catch great numbers and larger fish more consistently.

Ben is an avid fly fish-

erman, registered Maine Guide, and the Marketing director for Libby Sporting Camps. When he’s not exploring T8-R9 in search of new water, he can be reached at ben@libbycamps.com

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Page 67

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Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 68

Scents

(Cont. from pg 38) knifes this tool is a fantastic deal for the quality you get.

The sharp side is sharper than some other mass produced fleshing knifes out SELLERS LANE

BUYERS ROAD

there. The handles are comfortable and the curvature of the blade is nice. This product is priced at about $35 at most retailers and lands right in the middle price wise for the fleshing knifes available today.

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Quality wise I would put this knife more toward the upper end as the product description states. This is a really nice fleshing knife.

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October 2020

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Guide

(Cont. from pg 58) self just by being out there.

On the other hand, when you only have a condensed time frame and you’re aiming for a full, satisfying experience, by all means go with a guide.

Find one on the local Chamber of Commerce website, or by doing a search of Registered Maine Guides in the area you’ve targeted. If you’re staying at a lodge, they may make a recommendation to you for guides who specialize in your area of interest. In the end, it will be time and money well spent in the outdoors.

Randy Spencer is a working guide and author.

Reach him at randy31@ earthlink.net or via www. randyspencer.com

Noyes Real Estate Agency

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The main home built is 2 BR with a finished basement for guest check in or additional living space. Loan pre-approval required for to schedule a private tour. $799,000.

Northwoods Sporting Journal

October 2020 SELLERS LANE

REAL ESTATE

BUYERS ROAD

Page 69 SELLERS LANE

BUYERS ROAD

P.O. Box 628 Main Street Machias, ME 04654

SUNRISE REALTY

Office Tel. & Fax: (207) 255-3039 Email: anitaj@midmaine.com Website: www.sunlist.com Anita Johnson

EAST MACHIAS: 4.25 acre farm. Several useful outbuildings currently used to store farm equipment. Land is planted in a variety of vegetables & fruit trees.

Power available at roadside. Direct access to Sunrise Trail. 8 ft. fence surround the property. $28,500.00 EAST MACHIAS: Soil tested, driveway permit has been done. Would need to be renewed. Surveyed. Direct water access for good fishing, kayaking and canoeing from this river front parcel. $29,900.00

207-265-4000

259 Main Street, Kingfield, ME

www.csmrealestate.com

Enjoy Maine's Vacation-land!

PHILLIPS

Troy Hill Rd. ATV and snowmobile trail connect just down the hill. 2 bd 1 full bath upstairs plus a full walk out daylight basement that could be more space. Furnished, metal roof, 1 car garage plus several outbuildings. 3 Acre lot on country road. Be ready for hunting and snowmobile season! $192,000

janet@csmrealestate.com

5 Lake Street, P.O. Box 66, Lincoln, ME 207-794-2460

Lincoln-3BR with 1 full bath downstairs and both a ¾ master bath and ½ bath upstairs. Paved drive, attached 2 car garage, enclosed porch, covered porch, and patio all overlooking 191’ frontage on Cold Stream Pond $289,000 M a c w a h o c PLT- Located on Molonkus Stream w ith electricity, well & septic.

Its an incredible recreational area, hunting to hiking, atving and snowmobiling. Snug, warm, comfy cabin in the woods. $79,000

Grand Falls- This cabin was landed on this lot two years ago and ready to finish off and use. This 41 acre lot sits high on a hill with great views on Lord Brook Rd. ATV and snowsled from this location. Take a look. $79,000

Email: cwa@cwalakestreet.com Lee- Privately plowed, seaonal road. Electricity & nice frontage on a beautiful, clean Silver Lake. Two lots being sold, could potentially sell one lot & keep the other. The well is on lot 14 while the buildings & septic are on lot 15. $139,000 Burlington- Wellbuilt cute cabin tucked away in the woods with access t o M a d a g a s c a l ’s gorgeous private sand beach. ATVing & snowmobiling and POSSIBLE OWNER FINANCING. Take a look today on W. Madagascal Pond Rd. $59,900

SpringfieldComplete with a full, concrete foundation, well, septic, laundry.

Cabin can easily be year round residence for someone looking to live off grid on True Rd. With snowmobile access. It is situated in a great recreational area. $89,000 Lincoln- Larger private lot with lots of shore front. The lot has a road built with three access driveways. This 59 acre lot with over 3000 feet of water front on Stump Pond is a must see. $99,000 Cooper- This lot has electricity available at the road & great access. Wonderful frontage. New driveway in. Forest on Cathance Lake is Deep Cove Forest & will be maintained as forever wild. A must see lot! $79,000 Chester- Gorgeous views, looking up & down Penobscot River. Year round access with electricity available. Much of the lot has been cleared offering open space. The privy is in place. $29,900 Burlington- 9.18+/- acre lakefront lot on Madagascal Pond. Great opportunity to have a private get-away. 3 bedroom septic system installed along with loop driveway. Seller Financing Available. $69,000

GATEWAY RECREATIONAL PROPERTIES Office 207-746-3398 gatwainn@midmaine.com www.medwaygateway.com P.O. Box 637 Medway, ME 04460 SNOWMOBILERS - CAMP LOTS AVAILABLE Along ITS-83 From Houlton to Presque Isle

MATTANAWCOOK LAKE FRONT LOTS FOR SALE

ASHLAND: 10 Acres on Aroostook River. $14,000.

ASHLAND: 20 Acre, river frontage. $25,000.

GREENBUSH: 10 Acre camp lots, waterfrontage, large meadow, good views, hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. $25,000 - $42,000.

CARMEL: 25 Acres. $42,700.

TROY: Hunting camp with 30 acres $45,000.

CRYSTAL: 100 Acres large deer population and other wildlife. Will divide off a piece, perfect for your needs. Large brook on property. $49,900.

CAMPS LOTS AVAILABLE ON MATTASEUNK LAKE & MATTAWAMKEAG AREA WE OWN WHAT WE SELL! OWNER FINANCING AVAILABLE

Northwoods Sporting Journal

Page 70 SELLERS LANE

October 2020 SELLERS LANE

REAL ESTATE

BUYERS ROAD

BUYERS ROAD

Houlton Office 207-532-4500 Hermon Office 207-605-0556 Scot Walker, Broker

For all your recreational needs!

First Choice Real Estate

Land, Cabins, Acreage, Waterfront and more.

ST. JOHN VALLEY REALTY CO. 8 East Main Street Fort Kent, ME 04743

834-6725

www.mainelandbroker.com DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN INSTANTLY ACCESS CURRENT AND PAST DIGITAL ISSUES OF THE NORTHWOODS SPORTING JOURNAL? IT'S TRUE. SIMPLY GOOGLE:http://www.sportingjournal.com/digital-issues.

"Buy Maine" SARGENT REAL ESTATE

www.stjohnvalleyrealty.com

(207) 696-4247

www.HearthAndHomeRealty.com 274 Main Street Madison, ME 04950

Overhead Door Company of Bangor

“The original since 1921”

M o r r i s o n F a r m R d S u g a r C o v e W a y Route 179 WalthamMariaville- Ideal location Eastbrook- This Molasses Own your own waterfront and property for summer Pond lot is ready for your retreat with southwestern camp or year round main cottage or year round exposure, 3000 feet of home. 200’ of waterfront home. Road and electric shorefront, all on 50 acres on Graham Lake. Lot is to the site. 3.8 acres, with a gated road. Great surveyed and soil tested. beautiful views, 384 feet fishing, hunting, and close Great recreation area of water front, lot has been to ITS snowmobile trails. for fishing and hunting, surveyed and soil tested. This property also lends nearby snowmobile trails Call for complete details! itself to development available. Price $32,500. Price $115,000.00 potential. Price $290,000.

buymaine@sargentre.com 207-667-2144 FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL

Our Past. Your Future

P.O. Box 72 Houlton, Maine 1-800-341-1566 www.wardcedarloghomes.com

Skowhegan; 3BR, 1.5 bath cape that is very well maintained.

Also a separate heated building in back for workshop, business, crafts, etc. The garage is also heated and offers more room. Nice yard, convenient location yet offers some privacy. $159,900

Solon; Classic styling and a great location.

4BR, 1 bath and 2,800 square feet of living space. 1st floor bedroom, attached garage, outbuilding, covered front porch and shed for more storage. Access trails right from your back door. 0.5 acres $110,000

Sales, Service Parts for Residential, Commercial, Industrial 24-Hour Emergency Repair Reliability and so much more

Madison; Good solid building in this 3-unit home. Offers someone a place to live and with two other rentals to help to pay for it too! 2 units are 1BR, 1 bath and the other is 2BR, 1 bath. Now only $69,000

Anson; Great o p p o r t u n i t y.

This location consists of a turn-key beauty salon plus a large garage for your own use or rent it out. Also a gravel trailer pad set up with water and sewer for your own use or another rental income. $75,000

1-800-696-2235 56 Liberty Drive, Hermon www.overheaddoorofbangor.com

Residential

Commercial

Judd Goodwin Well Co

"We Do It Right The First Time"

Complete Well & Pump

Installation, Service and Repair Residential • Commercial Camps • Cottages

P.O. Box 17 Greenville, ME 04441 Office: 207-695-3645 Cell: 207-280-0923 goodwinjudd@yahoo.com www.juddgoodwinwell.com Member Maine Groundwater Association

Professional application equipment - Training Available - Quality Discounts

SAND BLASTING SAND • Crushed Glass Grit • Black Beauty • Glass Beads Call for price quantity breaks

$189.99-$383.03