The Maine Sportsman - September 2017

Sportsman The Maine

September 2017 • $4.99

Black Bear Hunts

in Maine & New Brunswick

Pages 21, 56, 73

Seven-Foot Tuna in a 20-Foot Boat Page 6

Build Your Own Trout Pond Page 58

Hunting Whitetail Food Plots Page 42

Get Ready for Moose Pages 45, 54, 57, 73

2 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

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Editorial

4 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Ticks are Ruining Outdoor Sports — and it’s Time to Do Something About Them Turkey hunting, walking through fields to get to a remote trout pond, and upland game hunting in brushy habitat – none of these activities are as carefree as they once were, because of the presence of ticks. The explosive increase in the tick population in Maine and the threat of Lyme disease are having a detrimental effect on hunting and fishing in Maine. We believe it’s time for Congress, the Legislature, state agencies and Maine’s medical commu- Source: University of Maine nity to focus their full attention on the problem. By now we all now know – or know of – Maine sportsmen and sportswomen who are experiencing the symptoms of Lyme disease, but there’s still no failsafe way to test for the illness. The most common method seems to be ruling out any other possible causes of the chronic fatigue, fever, muscle and joint pain that accompany the disease. Reported cases of Lyme disease increased to a record 1,464 cases in Maine in 2016, but some believe the true number may be ten times greater than that. Nor is there consensus among physicians on how to best to treat the illness. Caught early enough, patients can be cured with antibiotics, but if a critical time period has passed without medication, then patients may have to deal with symptoms for the rest of their lives. And if Lyme was not enough, earlier this year news outlets reported that two folks in Maine were recovering from the so-called “Powassan” virus, an uncommon but potentially life-threatening tick-borne illness. The problem is that no one really wants to talk about ticks. They are unpleasant to see or feel. And frankly, they’re not good for tourism. Until the larger issue is addressed, the best we can do is protect ourselves and our kids (young people ages 5 – 14 account for the majority of Lyme disease cases). The steps are not complex: • When afield, wear light-colored clothing so it’s easier to spot ticks. Wear long sleeves, and tuck your pants into your socks. We frequently opt for high rubber LaCrosse-type boots when we head across marshy fields to get to a local bass pond. • Apply an EPA-approved insect repellent. Or an insecticide, such as Permethrin, either as a spray or by wearing clothing that has been impregnated with the substance. Be very careful, however, with pets – while dogs can tolerate diluted Permethrin, it is very dangerous to cats, whose systems are more sensitive to the chemical. Also, keep it well away from fish and from water. • Check your skin and clothing for ticks and remove them promptly. Have a friend look at your back, since it’s not always possible to feel ticks on you. Don’t assume you will see a bulls-eye pattern following a tick bite; no such sign is reported in about half the cases. If you think you may have missed some ticks on your clothing, tumble them on high heat for 10 minutes in the dryer. • At home, keep your lawn mowed and brush cut back from paths, to reduce tick habitat. • If you find an embedded tick, use a tick spoon or tweezers to grasp its mouth and pull it out with steady pressure. Interested parties must join together to support research and funding to fight ticks and the diseases they carry. Fishermen, hunters, ATVers, Chambers of Commerce, guides and sporting camp operators must push lawmakers and policymakers for answers and results. Why is the tick population continuing to grow? Why is there not a viable vaccine against Lyme, or against the ticks themselves? Can safety concerns about Permethrin be answered once and for all (it’s still not approved for sale in European countries or in parts of Canada). We can no longer bury our heads in the sand. This problem is real, and it’s affecting real people, including those who recreate and guide in the Maine outdoors. It’s time for concerted action.

¶

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New England’s Largest Outdoor Publication Readership

Sportsman The Maine

ISSN 0199-036 — Issue No. 540 • www.mainesportsman.com PUBLISHER: Jon Lund MANAGING EDITOR: Will Lund will@mainesportsman.com OFFICE MANAGER: Linda Lapointe linda@mainesportsman.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Kristina Roderick kristina@mainesportsman.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Nancy Carpenter nancy@mainesportsman.com ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER:Mike Moreau mike@mainesportsman.com ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER:Chris Brawn chris@mainesportsman.com Second class postage paid at Scarborough, ME 04074 and additional entry offices. All editorial inquiries should be emailed to will@mainesportsman.com Advertising and business information: Phone: 207-622-4242 Fax: 207-622-4255 Postmaster: Send address changes to: The Maine Sportsman, 183 State Street, Suite 101,­ Augusta, ME 04330 12-Month Subscription: $30 • 24-Month Subscription: $49

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Almanac by Will Lund........................................................ 12 Aroostook - “The County” by Bill Graves......................... 73 Big Game Hunting by Joe Saltalamachia...................... 42 Bird of the Month, by Erika Zambello............................... 15 Bowhunting by Chris “Bubba” Johnson.......................... 52 Capitol Report by George Smith..................................... 18 Danger in the Outdoors by David Van Wie.................... 28 Editorial.................................................................................. 4 Freshwater Fly Fishing by Lou Zambello........................... 47 Greater Penobscot Bay by Jim Lemieux......................... 56 Jackman by William Sheldon........................................... 65 Jottings by Jon Lund............................................................ 7 Katahdin Country by William Sheldon............................. 68 Kate’s Wild Kitchen by Kate Krukowski Gooding........... 24 Letters to the Editor.............................................................. 5 Maine Wildlife by Tom Seymour....................................... 20 Maine Wildlife Quiz by Steve Vose................................... 35 Midcoast Report by Tom Seymour................................... 53 Mid-Kennebec Valley by Shawn Simpson...................... 49 Moosehead by Tom Seymour.......................................... 58 New Hampshire by Ethan Emerson.................................. 31 Off-Road Traveler by William Clunie................................ 40 Quotable Sportsman by George Smith........................... 29 Rangeley Region by William Clunie................................. 45 Riding Shotgun by Robert Summers................................. 37 Saltwater by Barry Gibson................................................. 38 Sebago to Auburn Region by Tom Roth......................... 50 Self-Propelled Sportsman by Jim Andrews...................... 60 Shooter’s Bench by Col. J.C. Allard................................. 62 Smilin’ Sportsman by Will Lund.......................................... 37 Smilin’ Sportsman - Kids Edition by Will Lund................... 64 Sportsman’s Journal by King Montgomery....................... 9 Southern Maine by Val Marquez..................................... 36 Trapping The Silent Places by David Miller...................... 70 Trading Post (Classifieds)................................................... 76 Trout Fishing by Tom Seymour........................................... 72 Washington County by Steve Vose................................. 54 Western Maine Mountains by William Clunie.................. 33 Young Maine Sportswoman by Alyssa Sansoucy........... 57

SPECIAL SECTIONS

ATVing in Maine by Cathy Genthner.............................. 25 Bear Hunting in Maine by Steve Vose ............................ 21

On the Cover: Black Bear Season in Maine is in full swing this month.

Letters

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To The Editor

Big Sturgeon in the Kennebec in Augusta

To the Editor: This 6-foot sturgeon (see photo) swam under me in mid-June when I was on the iron railroad trestle in downtown Augusta.

Doug Watts saw this 6-foot sturgeon in the Kennebec River in mid-June.

I counted more than 60 sturgeon leaping out of the water in two hours of observation – several times, four fish leaped within 5 seconds. It was unbelievable. Most are about 5 feet long, but the one in the photo was even bigger. Doug Watts - Augusta —

Tyler’s Successful Expanded Archery Hunt To the Editor: My name is Tyler Fenderson. I am 16 years old, and I have a true passion for hunting whitetails. 2016 was the first year was I could legally hunt on my own in the State of Maine. I wanted to show my dad – Master Maine guide Nathan Fenderson – that I could take the knowledge he had taught me and use it to locate and harvest a mature buck. I put out several trail cameras but didn’t see many mature bucks on them. My work and school commitments also increased, leaving me with only a few hours each week to scout and hunt. I was getting a little down, but my step mom Janine said, “Stay positive – it will only take one big buck to show up to make everything worthwhile.” Finally, one of my cameras showed a great heavy-beamed 8-point buck (115 -120 inches) that usually appeared just before dark. I decided this was the one I was going to try for. The next day I was ready, sitting in my stand around 3 pm waiting on this nice 8-point. I had been sitting about an hour doing some grunting and doe bleats when – like

a ghost – there it was, walking right to me! Heart pounding, I readied for my shot. Just then I heard a truck driving down the tar road. I looked over to where I could hear the vehicle. A black Dodge 4x4 truck stopped, and two guys in street clothes got out. Suddenly, one of them grabbed his bow and shot an arrow across the tar road into the woods at the buck!! I yelled at them from my stand. Immediately, the guy threw his bow in the back of the truck and jumped in, and they took off! I couldn’t believe what I had just seen (under Maine law, it is unlawful to hunt from or across a paved way, or within 10 feet of the edge of the pavement of the paved way). I never saw that deer again, even on camera. Still upset, I decided to sit in what we call the “gulley” spot. It’s a pinch-point funnel with great deer movement. After 30 minutes in the stand, a big spike horn in velvet showed up, walking right to me. I have never harvested a buck with my bow, so I was ready and eager to harvest this deer. The deer came in for a perfect 15-yard shot, and I stopped him with a grunt. I shot right over the top of him! I was thinking “Can my luck get any worse?” When I got home, it was clear to my dad that I was disappointed, so he gave me a pep talk: “Son, those bucks were not the ones you were meant to harvest this year, but trust me – good luck is coming. September 30th would be a day I will never forget! My boss at work said I could leave early if I wanted, so I called my dad. He recommended a new spot where he thought there would be some buck action. I told him that at that point, I would be happy just to harvest any deer, including a doe! But he prevailed, and I could tell he was excited about this new place. We met at the edge of the woods and he showed me the spot – only 50 yards off the tar road in a small parcel of oaks and a swamp.

My dad told me to watch the road – his cameras showed bucks crossing it every day. He set up two mock scrapes with “hot doe” scent drippers made by a Lebanon, NH company, NorthWoods Common Scents. Then he disappeared to the other side of the property. Around 5:25 pm I was doing some small grunts and doe bleats standing in my climber, when I heard car tires squeal as a driver braked and swerved to avoid a deer. I quickly looked over and saw a huge buck walking right across the road coming right in one of the trails, headed right for me. I put the calls away and hooked my release to my Hoyt Spyder compound bow, waiting for my shot. The buck came in and was feeding right down the trail, about 17 yards and broadside to me. My heart was pounding so hard I thought the buck would hear it and take off! I slowly drew back my bow (a little too soon), and had to hold in full draw what seemed like an eternity, waiting for him to come in to my lane. The buck walked in the lane. I grunted, stopping him quickly, and released the arrow, sending it to my mark behind the shoulder.

Tyler Fenderson with his 202-pound buck.

The buck kicked back jumping, then ran off, showing blood coming out of the entrance and exit wounds. Excitedly, I called my dad with the news. (Continued on next page)

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6 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Letters to the Editor (Continued from page 5)

He told me to stay in the stand and calm down, and that he would be right over to help find the buck. I was shaking so badly I don’t think I could have climbed down! My dad showed up, and we started tracking where we found the arrow sticking in the soft ground. The buck’s trail headed for the swamp. We had tracked the buck about 45 yards when I saw the rack sticking up out of the swamp grass! We hauled the buck out of the grass for a better look. The big deer sported a 7-point rack, wide and tall with great point length. The deer also had a huge body. At the tagging station, the deer’s weight came in at 202 pounds, dressed!

This was my first Maine 200-pound deer, and I was proud to have harvested it with my bow! Tyler Fenderson - Sanford —

Department of Corrections To the Editor: I wanted to bring to your attention the fact that some of the dates listed in the “hunting seasons” chart on page 16 of the August, 2017 Maine Sportsman are incorrect. Unless I have missed something, we can’t start hunting Ruffed Grouse or several other species on October 1st, as it is Sunday. Secondly, the season for Expanded Archery runs September 9 through December 9, not September 23. David Call - Bangor

The Editor responds: Thank you, David. We checked with the good folks at Maine DIF&W, since the upland bird season start date is listed as October 1 on the department’s hunting information issued to the public. A spokesperson explained that the October 1 date is specifically listed in their state regulation; see DIF&W Rule 4, section 4(D). However, the general prohibition against Sunday hunting supersedes that provision, so this year the Ruffed Grouse season starts Monday, October 2. The expanded archery season end date was our error – you are correct that the season extends to December 9.

¶

A Tuna Adventure to Remember To the Editor: As long-time fans of The Maine Sportsman, I am pleased to share a recent fishing adventure with the readers of your magazine. For 30 years I have been trying to catch a tuna off the coast of southern Maine. Matt Reed is a former charter fisherman who hadn’t fished for tuna in about a decade. On July 10, 2017, all of that changed when

Matt Reed of Five Islands and Sandy Lamoreau of West Gardiner with their impressive Giant Bluefin Tuna on July 20, 2017. www.MaineSportsman.com

Matt and I managed to land a 316-pound, 7-foot Giant Bluefin Tuna from his 20-foot Maritime Pioneer, along the Maine coast about 25 miles from Georgetown. We left the Five Islands dock at sun-up and headed off-shore. The meteorologists had promised blue skies and calm seas, but instead the water was rough all the way out and continued as we set anchor. We had only been out for an hour with one rod set and Matt busily rigging the second, when he yelled, “We’ve got one!” With the rod in its holder, I latched on and began reeling in the yet-unknown species. Its behavior was more consistent with that of a shark and Matt was contemplating cutting the line when all of a sudden it took out line and dove deep. Matt exclaimed, “It’s a tuna! We’ve got a tuna!” With me still on the rod, the big fish swam under the boat. The rod was bent so far down I was afraid it was going to snap! We took turns reeling it in (Matt, mostly) as it swam around and gave us a couple of good fights (me, mostly). Matt was the consummate Captain, keeping an eye on his vessel, the fish, lobster buoys, other boats, and me! The feisty fish required Matt’s quick reactions and his strength proved invaluable as he successfully brought the soon-to-be sushi to the boat, all within an historic forty minutes! The next call of business was to line up a fish truck to meet us at the Five Islands dock to purchase our catch. (Matt holds a General Commercial Tuna Permit, which enables him to sell his catch.) And who did we connect with, you might ask? None other than “Gut,” from the popular reality TV show Wicked Tuna! After making arrangements to meet Gut later, we called Matt’s daughter, Ashleigh, to share the exciting news and ask for ice and Matt’s truck. She and her friends Jen

and Jake rallied to the cause and met us at the dock, working feverishly to keep the huge fish and us cool ’til the truck got there! After Gut arrived at Five Islands (they purchase tuna up and down the Maine coast), the truck hoisted our catch, which proved to be a 316-pound, 7-foot giant bluefin tuna. Spectators oohed and aahed and took photographs as the huge creature’s scales glistened in the slowly-lowering sun. Our fishing day coincided with the Five Islands’ popular “Blessing of the Fleet,” during which commercial fisherman have a rare opportunity to relax and enjoy themselves. Hats off to these hard-working folks! After careful examination of the fish, Gut said it had decent fat and color, the characteristics buyers look for in tuna. The whole experience was a culmination of old and new, and it deepened my respect for fish, fishermen, friends, and the rugged sea. Sandy Lamoreau - Gardiner, ME

Reed and Lamoreau listen intently to wellknown tuna buyer, “Gut,” of the Wicked Tuna reality TV show, as he examines their 316-pound, 84-inch catch for color, fat content and estimated value on the open market. The fish brought more than $1,500 at auction.

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Wild Animals are Smarter Than We Think Cow elk smarter than bulls? You betcha they are, when they are older and more experienced than the bulls. Since older bulls sport handsome antlers, much coveted by hunters, not as many of the bulls make it past the age of five years, while cows may survive to the age of 20, according to a study of elk in southwestern Canada reported in the New York Times of June 20, 2017. Cow elk over the age of ten years become adept at avoiding hunters, using strategies like moving shorter distances and seeking higher, more rugged terrain when hunters are in the area. Elk Know Archery from Firearms? Remarkably, older cows sought out the rugged terrain more often

Elk head for the safety of the hills during archery season. Maine’s urban whitetails alter their travel patterns starting in October. Loon parents spot predatory eagles a half-mile away. And moths can hear the noises bats make. The author believes we grossly underestimate the intelligence of much of the wildlife we encounter.

In western states, older, more experienced cow elk head for the safety of the hills at the start of archery season.

during the bowhunting season, since that is when hunters have to get closer to the game due to the

limited range of bow and arrow. Heading for high country isn’t as good an elk safety strategy during

the rifle season, because of the longer lethal range of modern hunting arms. The brief article didn’t

explain how the cow elk distinguish between the bow season and the rifle season. Perhaps the bowhunters made a more silent approach, or the click-clack of the bolt-action rifles alerted the clever cows to the start of the rifle season. Or maybe some unethical hunter left a copy of the hunting regulations open in the field, allowing a literate cow elk to mark the opening of the rifle season on her calendar. Whatever the triggering mechanism, the piece reaffirms my suspicion that we grossly underestimate the intelligence of much of the wildlife we encounter. Firecracker Warnings We used to hear rumors that upcountry wardens used to drive near (Continued on next page)

FALL SPORTING

AUCTION Saturday, October 21, 2017 • 10:00am

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8 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Jottings (Continued from page 7)

open fields where deer liked to feed. Supposedly the wardens would set off firecrackers to alert the deer to the fact that open season was at hand. My own observations are that in the Capital area where I reside, as early as October the deer begin altering their movement patterns, and are less visible during daylight hours. There is no doubt in my mind that deer that live close to urban populations become adept at avoiding and evading human contact. Smart Loons We have an unusual opportunity to observe loon behavior during the summer months on Lake Cobbossee, as we have a nesting float in the wetland behind our summer place that has been used by loon pairs every sum-

mer for at least a couple of dozen years. Loons are dedicated birders. They watch ospreys and occasional eagles with great caution, and for good cause. I have seen an osprey dive (unsuccessfully) on a loon with a chick, attempting, no doubt, to snag the chick. Ospreys are known as fish eaters, but they are not exclusive fish-eaters. I have seen an osprey swoop down and carry off a young muskrat. Loons sound warnings when ospreys are close at hand, but an eagle, even a half-mile or more away, gets a special danger call. To a casual observer, a great blue heron on a distant horizon may look somewhat similar in size and shape to an eagle, a distinguishing feature

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Loons become expert at identifying dangerous, predatory birds (such as bald eagles) from harmless ones (like great blue herons), and can distinguish different species from a half-mile away.

being the heron’s trailing legs. But loons seem able to distinguish between the two without fail, even at great distance. It’s the Plane! On our lake, a floatplane is berthed behind Molazigan Island, about a half mile away. For some reason, loons do not like the floatplane even more than other airplanes and helicopters. They wail a warning cry. The male gives out his territorial yodel. Perhaps

it is the intense noise of the take-off, or the sight of a big bird in the sky, or both. This summer, the loons have learned to identify the low frequency rumble of the floatplane’s engine idling, long before we are aware that the floatplane is starting up. We have other idling engine sounds, like several classic inboard engines – Chris-Craft and others. But the loons save their most vigorous warning

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cries for the floatplane. Bats and Moths Writing in Bowdoin Magazine, Carl Hopkins describes a seminar in which a bat and a moth were released. A detector converted the bat’s ultrasound emissions into an audible signal, and audible click and buzzes could be heard when the bat approached an obstacle. The auditory nerve of the moth had been exposed so that signals from its ear could be heard and recorded. The audience couldn’t hear the bat, but the moth could, and whenever the bat flew close to the moth, sounds from the moth could be heard. Vol. 88 No. 3, Page 40. When a woodpecker or a squirrel moves to the other side of a tree where it can’t be seen, we often kid ourselves, judging it to be a coincidence. But it ain’t. That critter is trying to avoid the human, just as sure as a moth tries to avoid a bat.

¶

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The Maine Wildlife Park Much of Maine’s history is centered on the outdoors, from the earliest Paleo-Indian times over 12,000 years ago to the present. All across the vast and diverse regions of Maine, outdoor pursuits such as fishing, hunting, trapping and logging were and are being practiced by a sizeable number of men and women. Maine people have a reputation of being nature-oriented outdoor folks, handy in the woods and on the waters. That’s changing. More and more each year, particularly in the younger generations, many lose touch with the outdoors or never were part of it at all. These unfortunates simply have no idea or perhaps don’t even care about nature or the concept of nature. It was bad enough when television began to take over people’s lives, only to be heavily reinforced by the arrival of personal electronic devices. Yes, there is a lot of good in TV, computers and such machines, but they can become addictive, much like opi-

The park is home to giant moose, white-tail deer, black bears, flying squirrels, mountain lion siblings, Canada lynx, bobcat, coyote, fisher, raccoon, opossum, porcupine, woodchuck, gray and red fox and skunk. Birds include bald and golden eagles, barred and great-horned owls, peregrine falcon, red-tailed hawk and wild turkey. And don’t forget the trout hatchery!

The black bears at the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray were born and raised in captivity and can’t be released into the wild. Their large home is spacious and has everything they need. All photos © King Montgomery

oids and other insidious drugs. It usually happens to young people in the single-digit ages, then carries on into the formative years and continues into adulthood as well. Unfortunately getting

The Maine Wildlife Park is owned and operated by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife and operates exclusively from its own money account -- no taxpayer dollars are used.

outdoors does not seem to be an option in that toxic electronic, digital mix. “Time in nature is not leisure time; it is an essential investment in our children’s health, and also, by the way, in

our own,” says Richard Louv in his seminal Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children with Nature-Deficit Disorder, 2005. So for those of you who let computers/smart

A Canada lynx looks around during a brief interruption to its nap. See how the display represents native habitat as much as possible. Photos this close were possible only with a Photo Pass, which allows better access to the animals at the Maine Wildlife Park. A reservation is required, and a fee applies.

phones/tablets/Xboxes and the like occupy (babysit?) your children, I have a suggestion for you how to at least temporarily pry them from their electronic pacifiers: head to the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray. What Is It? The Maine Wildlife Park (MWP) is owned and operated by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (DIF&W) and is within the purview of that department’s Division of Information and Education. Unlike most other state entities, the park operates exclusively from its own money account – no taxpayer dollars are used. The park relies on admission fees, income from the Nature Store, feed machines, and direct donations from the public. The small staff is augmented by volunteers, the dedicated Friends of the Wildlife Park organization, and occasionally by other state entities for some in-kind support. DIF&W supplements park operations with a variety of administrative (Continued on next page)

White-tailed deer fawns separated from their mothers are brought to the park for safekeeping and care until they are old enough to be released in the outdoors. www.MaineSportsman.com

10 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��������������������������������������������������

Sportsman’s Journal (Continued from page 9)

support services. The MWP comprises some 40 acres just outside of Gray, and it’s home to dozens of animals that cannot survive in the wild. Many were brought here because they were injured, orphaned, or raised in captivity, often illegally. The MWP is not a zoo – in fact, it’s much better. To the extent possible, the animals are housed in enclosures that provide features found in their natural habitats, and all animals we saw seemed unstressed with their accommodations. Most seemed downright happy. The deer area, for example, is several acres of lightly-wooded terrain; and the moose yard is a large area as well, and features all the moose amenities. The park is home to almost three dozen species of animals, from the giant moose and black bears, to the tiny flying squirrels and field mice/ voles in a clever night-animal display under black lights. Residents also include mountain lion siblings, Canada lynx, bobcat, coyote, white-tailed deer, fisher, raccoon, opossum, porcupine, woodchuck, gray and red fox and skunk. Birds are represented by bald and

golden eagles, barred and great-horned owls, peregrine falcon, red-tailed hawk, wild turkey (the spring struts and posturing of the tom are impressive), and ornate peacocks. Other avians are Canada geese and various puddle ducks, mostly mallards, that have the run (actually, the waddle) of the park. The injured waterfowl – many can’t fly well or at all – are often joined by wild counterparts that wing in, particularly when crowds of children feed the birds. Bring quarters, because there are a number of animal food dispensing machines throughout the park where appropriate. Fish are represented too, a short walk past the birds, and the turtle/wetland trail leads to the Dry Mills Fish Hatchery. The hatchery sports a new interpretive building, brook trout pond, and observation tanks. Tens of thousands of brook trout are raised from eggs here, and when ready as fingerlings they are stocked in Maine’s waters to provide anglers opportunity to catch fish. And yes, a quarter will get you some trout food to feed the gorgeous brookies.

The deer yard is large and holds a number of white-tailed deer, including a piebald specimen. Their habitat is very natural. www.MaineSportsman.com

Other Things to Do DIF&W’s Division of Information and Education, headed by Bonnie Holding (a Master Maine Fishing Guide) and aided by Lisa Kane, provides many learning opportunities for young and old at two major facilities: The Maine Wildlife Park, and Swan Island. (Swan Island, a wildlife management area in the Kennebec River near Richmond, will be covered in a future column.) The division’s responsibilities include public education, promotion of inland fisheries and wildlife resources, and the dissemination of information. When Elizabeth and I visited the MWP in June, several yellow school buses were off-loading elementary school kids, and the park was hopping with energetic children. As the morning progressed, they quieted and paid attention not only to the captivating animals, but to their class guides and teachers as well. I highly suspect many, if not most of the kids were seeing a raccoon, a beaver, and other critters for the first time. Educational opportunities at the park include group tours and special weekend events. Call the MWP or see their website. Other venues to check out at the park include the small but very inter-

Stroll though the Maine Warden Service Museum and learn the history of this fine group of dedicated men and women.

esting Visitor Center and shopping at the Nature Store for wildlife-related merchandise. Grab a snack, a cold drink, or a delicious ice cream cone at the Snack Shack run by volunteers from Friends of the Wildlife Park. Proceeds go for park improvements, such as flower gardens and wildlife displays. Stroll though the Maine Warden Museum and learn the history of this fine group of dedicated men and women; view video clips from the popular North Woods Law TV program; and see old uniforms and field equipment like a canoe, snowmobile and an older model 3-wheeler. Photo Passes Professional and amateur photographers may make reservations for personal, guided photo shoots of some of the animals in the park. They

The moose yard is a large area with all the moose amenities.

are allowed supervised access to parts of the animal habitats not otherwise open to the public. I availed myself of this fine opportunity, and the superintendent’s assistant Courtney Johnson, who lives in Biddeford, showed us around to places where I could get closer and clearer photos of several of the animals – some of those pictures accompany this article. A summer Photo Pass is $50/hour, and a winter pass is $150/hour. Call ahead in plenty of time to ensure a reservation. I asked MWP superintendant Curt Johnson (no relation to Courtney) what the keys were to the park’s success, and his first answer was “the people.” Then he spoke very highly about his small, dedicated staff, the industrious volunteers with whom he works very (Continued on next page)

This mother goose shields her gosling under a wing so it doesn’t get wet and chilled in the rain. Canada geese wander freely in the park.

�������������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2017 • 11

Encourage your kids to put down their smart phones, tablets, Xboxes and computer screens, and take them to the Maine Wildlife Park. “Time in nature is not leisure time; it is an essential investment in our children’s health, and also in our own.” (Continued from page 10)

closely, and the businesses, organizations, and people that donate time, materials and funds to continue improving this wildlife sanctuary. He lauded the support the park receives from the DIF&W in Augusta and Gray, and from the Maine Warden Service. Johnson brings an ideal portfolio of education and skills to his position. He is schooled and versed in business, and in outdoor recreation and wildlife management. He’s also a family and people-person, so that helps a lot too. Much good has happened at the MWP in his 11 years as the director. The Maine Wildlife Park is a wonderful place,

full of opportunities for anyone to get more in touch with the wild outdoors, and actually see creatures in the flesh. Over 120,000 visitors a year will attest to that. The grounds are lovely, and there are picnic tables, shelters and grills under the trees, so bring

a lunch when you visit. A trip here could be a seminal experience for some and hopefully stimulates interest in our wonderful outdoors. It may opens vistas not found on a glass screen.

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Maine Wildlife Park Information Open every day through November 11, 2017. 9:30 am–4:30 pm. Visitors may stay until 6:00 pm. 56 Game Farm Road, Gray, ME 04039 (GPS Works) 207-657-4977 • www.mainewildlifepark.com Entrance fees for four years old or older vary from $5.50/day to $7.50. Veterans with ID enter free. See website for other costs. Friends of Maine Wildlife Park: www.wildlifeparkfriends.org

The Maine Wildlife Park comprises some 40 acres just outside of Gray. It is home to dozens of animals that cannot survive in the wild. Follow the free map for a great adventure.

ang l ers & h u nters say:

KEEP KATAHDIN WOODS AND WATERS NATIONAL MONUMENT INTACT Protect access for Maine traditions in Roosevelt’s beloved North Woods www.MaineSportsman.com

Almanac

12 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��������������������������������������������������

Compiled and Edited by Will Lund

“Snapshots in Time”: Excerpts from the Annals of Maine’s Sporting Past

“The Great Bear Race” Submitted by Bill Pierce Outdoor Sporting Heritage Museum, Oquossoc This is a story that appeared in Forest & Stream in 1880 about an interesting encounter on Lake Welekennabacook, one of the larger lakes in the Rangeley chain. Never heard of it? Well, that is because its name was later changed to Lower Richardson. Civil War veteran Steven Morse is a principal character in this tale and was one of the foremost guides of his time in the region.

The story also refers to Morse’s “skiff,” which was in fact his very early “Indian Rock” boat. Indian Rock was the first name given to the now-famous Rangeley Guide Boat. Morse purchased his boat for the princely sum of $35, which would be equal to $795 in today’s dollars. The boat can now be viewed in the collection of the Outdoor Sporting Heritage Museum, and is perhaps the oldest known “Rangeley” in existence. Steven Morse and his Guide Boat were often mentioned in other articles in sporting publications of his day, so we may hear about him again in future installments. Enjoy the bear race!

Kiln-Drying Firewood Kills Pests Under a directive issued by Douglas Denico, director of Maine’s Bureau of Forestry, no one is allowed to bring firewood into Maine unless it has been treated so that its core temperature has reached at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit for a minimum of 75 minutes. Such treated wood must be labeled with a treatment certificate from a USDA-qualified facility, or a label from an equivalent facility in another state. Further, if travelers are stopped at the New Hampshire border with firewood, and if they cannot demonstrate the wood’s prior treatment or prove that the firewood originates from a local Maine source, they may be required to turn the firewood over to Maine Bureau of Forestry officials. There are two reasons for this strict policy – the first is the emerald ash borer, and the second is the Asian long-horned beetle. These insects can spell bad news for Maine’s forests. According to the forestry bureau, the borers have killed millions of ash trees in the Midwest and Canada, and the pest has spread across twenty-seven states, from Colorado and Louisiana to New Hampshire. The long-horned beetle is also getting closer to Maine, having now been found in three northeastern states. Campgrounds in Maine are required to post the following notice: WARNING: Persons with firewood that

To be legally used in Maine, firewood must either be local, or USDA-certified pest-free. Norlando Pobre photo

Steven Morse in his Union Army uniform.

(Continued on next page)

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was not originally purchased in this State may be unknowingly transporting Asian long-horned beetles and/or emerald ash borers – insects that are highly destructive to forests. Unless your firewood has a treatment certificate or label, it should all be burned within 24 hours, or driven directly to Bureau of Forestry or Parks and Lands facility for responsible disposal. All camper firewood brought into this campground is subject to inspection and potential confiscation by Maine Bureau of Forestry or Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands personnel. To qualify for pest-free certification, firewood is heated in large kilns, usually propane-fueled. Experts differ on the heat-and-time formula required to kill insects (wood used for boxes or packaging, for example, must be “sterilized” by heating to 133 degrees for at least 30 minutes). But given the density and moisture content of firewood (which may be green or which may have been stacked outside uncovered for months), the real challenge is to heat the “core” to the required temperature. This is accomplished with the use of fans inside the kiln, to circulate the heated air and achieve the required core temperature. So visitors’ options are to pay the extra cost for store-bought, certified wood displaying a pest-free certificate, or to purchase wood from private Maine sellers that have firewood near the road accompanied by “$5 per bundle” hand-painted signs. —

Proposal for a Different Kind of “Run and Gun” Field & Stream writer Phil Bourjaily recently took note of the sport of “summer biathlon,” which combines running with target shooting. He suggests a modification for wing-shooters: “There should be a version for shotguns,” he wrote, calling his modest proposal a “running sporting clays course.” A clock would start, and contestants would run, holding an unloaded shotgun but carrying at least 50 shells, up to a station. If the shooter missed a certain number of clays, the contestant would be required to run an additional penalty lap. To make the experience into ultimate reality, Bourjaily suggested adding real-life hazards, such as aggressive cattle and barbed-wire fences. To which we say – Why not? —

Dealing with Fog on the Water An article about maritime fog written by Karen and Jeffery Siegel will result in nods of recognition from anyone who’s tried to navigate without instruments in the dense Maine coastal fog conditions known as “pea soup.” Writing as ActiveCaptain.com, the couple described striking out in a 13foot Whaler and small outboard, trying to navigate the distance between their moored boat and the shore, but without using a compass, GPS or smartphone. In the dense fog, they were alarmed when they crossed a wake, since they had heard no other boats. Then they realized the wake was their own, and that they were going around in circles. We’ve had similar experiences in Casco Bay. One time years ago in zero-visibility fog in a boat without instrumentation, we exited the Royal River in Yarmouth and eventually approached what we were certain was the northwest shore of Chebeague Island, but which upon closer inspection proved to be the inside of Littlejohn Island, at least a half-mile away. Decades ago, on a very foggy evening, another family member journeyed in a small aluminum boat to what he thought was a familiar cove, but he came upon a large mooring ball he’d never seen before. He figured he’d come to the wrong anchorage, so he headed back across the bay. Turns out he was where he’d intended to be the first time, but a new summer resident had installed the large, brand-new mooring ball earlier that day. GPS, either separate or as part of a smartphone, is a great invention, but 1) it’s not infallible, such as when the batteries fail or it gets knocked overboard; and 2) it’s not a radar, so slow speed should be maintained. And every boater should have an old-fashioned compass aboard. It’s a device that has guided mariners reliably for hundreds of years. —

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14 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��������������������������������������������������

“Paper Tune” Your Bow

Almanac

Submitted by Val Marquez

(Continued from page 13)

This surprise always leads to some interesting gyrations and abrupt turns back to shore, especially if you are in a small kayak. Many kayaker and canoeists have experienced this, sometimes several times a summer. Why do snakes like to hang out in stored boats? The reason is that snakes are cold-blooded, and in Maine where the weather can be cool (especially as we approach fall), garters like to find places where they can warm up. Overturned small boats that are lying in the open absorb the sun’s rays. Underneath and inside it can be 20 degrees warmer than the outside air, especially as it starts to cool off towards evening. So a snake, sensing the heat, slithers in and hides up in the bow or among any gear where it is the warmest. It emerges when you turn over the boat and hop in. But often, as many of us know, the snake is not spotted until the surprised paddler is already out on the water. For many, Mr. Garter is an unwelcome passenger. —

Paper tuning is simply shooting an arrow through a sheet of paper from a distance of about six feet. Resulting holes hold a wealth of information, such as how your bow is set up and tuned. The hole pattern will show either that your arrow is leaving the bow straight, or that you have some issues with set-up.

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To paper-tune his bows, the author has constructed a “paper tune frame” that holds the paper firmly in front of the practice target. The pattern made by the arrow as it passed through the paper tells the archer whether bow adjustments are needed to ensure a straight flight path. Val Marquez photo

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The tear on a well-tuned bow will appear like a “Y” shape. A bow with tuning issues will show a tear, with a long tear to one side. This erratic tear, and how you adjust the bow as a result, is key to proper set-up. Tail high or tail low rips mean that string nock adjustment (moving the nock location on the string up or down) is needed. Right or left rips show that arrow rest adjustments (moving the arrow rest towards or away from the bow’s riser) are required to insure arrows fly straight from the bow. A perfect Y hole, as mentioned, shows the bow is set up and tuned properly; in other words, it’s hunt-ready. To learn more on paper tuning, contact an archery pro shop, or Google “paper tuning a compound bow.”

Latest Survey of Repair Shops Indicates Increase in Ethanol Problems Boating Industry magazine recently polled its members, which include boat repair facilities, as well as boat sellers, manufacturers and storage facilities, asking whether they had seen an increase in mechanical problems resulting from the use of ethanol fuel. 92% said “yes,” which represents an increase from last year’s results of 87%. If it’s true that ethanol is causing more boat operational issues, that’s a mixed blessing for these facilities. An analysis of the survey, reported by BoatUS, quoted one Minnesota boat dealer is saying, “Ethanol fuels are great for our service department but bad for our customers!” The ethanol fuel industry disputes the findings. However, what’s clear to many owners of gas-powered engines (including those that run outboards, chain saws, lawnmowers and water pumps) is that no longer can we store fuel at camp from one season to the next and expect it to run the engines smoothly. Carburetors must be run dry each fall, and fresh gas used in the spring. Clear winners in this development are the makers of enzyme-based fuel treatments, which are relatively expensive but which appear to have some success in preventing or even cleaning internal parts of the varnish-like deposits that result from leaving modern fuel residue in internal combustion engines. —

Landowner Appreciation and Clean-Up Day Sunday, September 10 Nearly 500,000 pounds of illegally-dumped trash and litter have been collected from the fields and forest of Maine in the last two years during annual clean-up days performed by volunteers and organized by (Continued on next page)

�������������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2017 • 15 (Continued from page 14)

Maine DIF&W and the Department of Conservation and Forestry. This year’s event is scheduled for Sunday, September 10.

Illegally-dumped trash and litter will be collected and carted away by the truckload from sites all over Maine on Sunday, September 10. It’s a way for ATV and snowmobile groups, and others who benefit from generous private landowners, to show their appreciation.

Clubs and organizations are invited to sign up to participate in the event, by calling (207) 287-5240 or emailing virginia.vincent@ maine.gov. In fact, the state will hold a contest with $2,500 worth of prizes to the groups that collect the most illegally-dumped trash from landowner property (as measured by the pick-up truck load at one of the designated drop off locations by Warden Service or Forest Service personnel), with prizes sponsored by Kittery Trading Post. And every volunteer who participates will receive an official DIF&W “Outdoor Partner” hat. A worthwhile effort indeed! —

Biologists Set Nets to Discover the Secret Lives of Sebago Lake Togue Fisheries biologists are well along in a project to sample the lake trout (togue) population in Sebago Lake, Maine’s deepest lake, and the state’s second-largest water body, be-

hind only Moosehead Lake. So far they have netted 135 fish, keeping careful track of where on the lake the fish were located, and at what depths. While surveys of fishermen are helpful in determining fish distribution, it’s difficult for most anglers to pursue fish that are found at depths greater than 100 feet. For that reason, the biologists decided to conduct a purely scientific process at all depths of the lake. They gridded off the lake (see chart) into 1-square kilometer grids, and began setting nets at randomly-designated depths. The project began in mid-summer 2016. So far, 140 sites have been sampled and 135 lake trout have been netted and studied. Although the project is not complete, biologists have already made some findings that should interest anglers and guides on the big lake: 1) The lake trout sampled ranged in size from 10.3 to 33.9 inches in length, with an average length of 19.7 inches and weight of 2.8 pounds. While most of the lake trout sampled were juvenile- to average-sized fish, biologists did catch several exceptional lake trout (see photo).

A 12-pound Sebago lake trout, captured in deep water by fisheries biologists. DIF&W photo 2) Preliminary analyses indicate a population of 1.3 lake trout per acre, with a lakewide estimate of 39,200 harvestable size lake

trout (12 inches or larger). 3) The lake trout appear to be well distributed around the lake. However, none were found at depths shallower than 32 feet, nor deeper than 252 feet. 4) Within that range, the density of lake trout progressively increased with depth, with 75% of the lake trout being located in water greater than 98 feet in depth. 5) In general, the size of lake trout decreased with increasing depth. The comprehensive project will continue through this summer, with a final report expected in 2018. —

Bird of the Month Golden Eagle by Erika Zambello

Many recognize the famous silhouette of a Bald Eagle, the national bird of the United States. In Maine, Bald Eagle populations have been increasing, and the bird was officially removed from the Maine Endangered Species list in 2009. But fewer observers have seen the wide, dark wingspan of another protected and impressive raptor species – the Golden Eagle. Though they are uncommon, Golden Eagles can be seen during the winter months throughout the State of Maine, and in very northern Maine during the summer. In fact, until 1999 Golden Eagles were known to breed here. Today, the species covers a wide range in North America, from Alaska all the way into Mexico and from the Pacific to Atlantic coasts. Adult Golden Eagles are actually chocolate brown overall. The “Golden” in their (Continued on next page)

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Almanac

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name derives from the golden sheen on the feathers of their heads and necks. They are large birds, with wingspans that can extend over 85 inches. Their size means they can take down heavier prey, including cranes and livestock, but normally they survive on smaller game such as rabbits or squirrels. Golden Eagles can live for decades; the oldest recorded wild Golden Eagle lived to be 31 years old. Because of their prey species, Golden Eagles prefer open habitat, and avoid developed areas or uninterrupted woodlands. They often hunt using impressive aerial dives, clocking in almost 200 miles an hour as they plunge. Golden Eagle populations have remained relative stable since 1966. Like Bald Eagles, they are specially protected under the U.S. Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1962, but over half of Golden Eagle deaths can be attributed to people, from lead poisoning to collisions with vehicles to electrocution when they sit on power poles. If you are on the lookout for Golden Eagles, check out Mt. Agamenticus (DeLorme Atlas Map 1, A-4) during the spring hawk migration.

vious politicians – comes through loud and clear in this novel. In fact, I often saw Sandy in the main character Cassandra, who early in the novel finds her best friend Shannon crushed under a tree. The author has a real talent for developing her characters, and the dialogue keeps the story moving in a very entertaining way. I don’t want to give away the plot, but I will tell you that forest landowners, hunters, politicians, and even some environmental groups, are working together and apart to rid the woods of wolves which threaten to derail a major north woods development project. I particularly enjoyed the characterization of the governor, who, at a public meeting, cancels Wolf Awareness Week and signs up for the Predator Derby in which those who kill the most predators win prizes. “I am locked and loaded for the derby,” shouts the governor. “Count. Me. In!” Later, outside the meeting, he is surreptitiously captured on tape making a deal with the big landowner to kill all the wolves. “Now, gentlemen, let’s get to work,” he says. “Kill us some wolves. Exterminate the vermin while we’ve got God, time, and ammunition on our side.” Cassandra’s activism and advocacy for wolves puts her life in danger, and I read the last half of the book in a hurry, to find out if she gets killed along with the wolves. Neily’s novel has already won a literary award and is getting rave reviews. Please add my review to that list. No matter how you feel about wolves, forest cutting practices, groups representing environmentalists and sportsmen, or even our political leaders, you will enjoy the way they are all portrayed here.

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Book Review: Deadly Trespass, by Sandra Neily Wolves in Maine Bring Murder and Mayhem Review by George Smith

When wolves show up in Maine’s north woods, landowners and others launch a major, but secretive, effort to kill them. And that’s just part of the complex plot in Sandra Neily’s novel, Deadly Trespass. I first got to know Sandy many years ago when she worked for one of our state’s major environmental groups. She’s had a lifelong passion for conservation, environmental protection, and our native wildlife. That passion – and her strong views about everything from clearcuts to de-

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�������������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2017 • 17

­— September 2017 Hunting & Fishing Information — Hunting Seasons and Rules Ruffed Grouse, Bobwhite Quail and Pheasant season runs October 2 – December 31. Deer Firearms season runs October 30 through November 25. Maine Residents Only Day is Saturday October 28. Youth Deer Day is October 21. Muzzleloader season for deer starts November 27. In southern WMDs the season ends December 9; while in WMDs 12, 13, 15 – 18; 20 – 26 and 29, the season extends another week, through December 9 Crow season started August 1 in all WMDs, and ends September 22. Youth Bear Day is August 26. Hunting Bear with Bait (general season) starts August 28 through November 25 (bait could be placed starting July 29). Expanded Archery for Deer begins September 9 (designated areas) and runs through December 9. Hunting Bear with Dogs runs September 11 through October 27. Moose season in WMDs 1 – 6, 11 and 19 begins September 25. Deer Archery season starts September 28 and runs through October 27. Fall Wild Turkey in most WMDs runs October 1 through November 7. Squirrel, Raccoon and Hare season

starts October 1. Fox season starts October 16. Night Hunting for Coyote – Night hunting started December 16, and ends August 31, 2017. To avoid violating Maine’s prohibition on Sunday hunting, night hunting for coyotes must cease at midnight each Saturday, and can resume at 12:01 a.m. on Monday. Others: There is no closed season for coyotes (daytime hunting), red squirrels, porcupines and woodchucks. Hunting is prohibited at all times for cottontail rabbits, lynx, spruce grouse and ravens. HOURS: 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset, except for migratory game birds (1/2 hour before sunrise, to sunset) and raccoons (night hunting allowed in season). See “Night Hunting for Coyotes” section above for applicable coyote rules. Ammunition: Non-toxic shot only for migratory game birds. —

Fishing Seasons and Rules Minimum size for brook trout, splake and arctic char: 6 inches; for landlocked salmon: 14 inches (with a maximum size for salmon and brown trout of 25 inches in much of Washington and Hancock Counties); for togue: 18 inches; for brown trout: 14 inches

in lakes; 6 inches in streams and rivers; for rainbow trout: 12 inches in lakes; 6 inches in streams and rivers. Brook Trout: Daily bag limit 2 trout on lakes and ponds in Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Penobscot, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Washington and York Counties. Other daily bag limits and minimum lengths (if any): Bass (2 fish; 10 inch minimum; only one longer than 14 inches); Whitefish (3 fish); Smelts (2 quarts); Pickerel (10 fish); Northern Pike and Muskies (no size or bag limit); Eel (25 fish); Shad (2 fish); Striped bass (one fish; minimum 28 inches); Alewives (25 fish). Go to www.eregulations.com/maine/fishing/general-law-information/ , find the lake, pond, river or stream you want to fish, and interpret the codes that apply. Look up the “S” (special rules) Codes. Learn the open-water season, the ice fishing season (if any), whether you are limited to artificial lures, or catch-and-release, and whether there’s a slot limit. ***** Atlantic Salmon can’t be targeted, and if caught they must be released immediately. Current saltwater fishing regulations are found at www.Maine.gov/dmr/recreational-fishing/regs-tips/index.html.

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September 2017 Sunrise/Sunset

September 2017 Tidal Chart

Portland, ME

Portland, ME

DATE 1 Fri 2 Sat 3 Sun 4 Mon 5 Tue 6 Wed 7 Thu 8 Fri 9 Sat 10 Sun 11 Mon 12 Tue 13 Wed 14 Thu 15 Fri

RISE 6:04 6:05 6:06 6:07 6:08 6:10 6:11 6:12 6:13 6:14 6:15 6:16 6:17 6:19 6:20

SET 7:16 7:15 7:13 7:11 7:09 7:07 7:06 7:04 7:02 7:00 6:58 6:56 6:55 6:53 6:51

DATE 16 Sat 17 Sun 18 Mon 19 Tue 20 Wed 21 Thu 22 Fri 23 Sat 24 Sun 25 Mon 26 Tue 27 Wed 28 Thu 29 Fri 30 Sat

RISE 6:21 6:22 6:23 6:24 6:25 6:26 6:28 6:29 6:30 6:31 6:32 6:33 6:34 6:36 6:37

SET 6:49 6:47 6:45 6:44 6:42 6:40 6:38 6:36 6:34 6:33 6:31 6:29 6:27 6:25 6:24

DATE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

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

HIGH AM PM 8:19 8:31 9:10 9:20 9:57 10:06 10:38 10:47 11:17 11:27 11:54 — 12:06 12:31 12:47 1:10 1:29 1:52 2:15 2:37 3:05 3:26 4:00 4:21 5:00 5:22 6:06 6:27 7:15 7:36

LOW AM PM 2:07 2:14 2:59 3:05 3:45 3:51 4:27 4:33 5:05 5:13 5:42 5:53 6:19 6:34 6:58 7:17 7:39 8:02 8:23 8:52 9:11 9:46 10:04 10:45 11:03 11:49 — 12:07 12:57 1:15

DATE 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

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

HIGH AM PM 8:22 8:42 9:23 9:42 10:18 10:37 11:08 11:27 11:54 — 12:14 12:37 12:58 1:18 1:42 1:58 2:25 2:39 3:09 3:22 3:56 4:08 4:47 4:58 5:41 5:53 6:38 6:50 7:35 7:47

LOW AM PM 2:04 2:22 3:07 3:24 4:03 4:20 4:54 5:12 5:41 6:00 6:24 6:45 7:06 7:29 7:47 8:12 8:28 8:56 9:10 9:42 9:55 10:32 10:44 11:25 11:38 — 12:22 12:35 1:19 1:32

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18 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��������������������������������������������������

We Won Some — and Lost Some — at the Legislature It was probably a bit ambitious for me to propose eleven bills at this year’s legislative session. It turned out to be a very tough year there, and not just for my bills. As usual, most of the 1,800 or so bills that were introduced were killed. I’m actually happy with the results for my bills, although most were not enacted. I often propose bills in order to encourage Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to act, and I had some very good luck with that approach this session. Today I’ll give you a run-down on what happened to each of my bills. Brook Trout Pro-

tection (sponsored by Rep. Russell Black). I’m especially pleased with what happened with my two bills calling for more protection of our native brook trout including in tributaries to our Heritage Fish waters and in speeding up the process of adding waters to that protected list. Although DIF&W opposed the bills, they drew lots of support at the public hearings, and the IFW Committee was very supportive, which provoked the department to step up, in a written memo, and agree to do the things in our bill by next February, with a report back to the committee at that time. And to make sure

the agency fulfills its promise, the committee held one of my bills over so they could use it next session if they need to. Wild Game Dinners (Sen. Tom Saviello). In response to my bill to make wild game dinners legal, DIF&W issued a written memo spelling out the requirements that will make those dinners legal. Permission to Pick (Sen. Saviello). My bill requiring permission to pick mushrooms, fiddleheads, and other wild crops on private land ended up with a big surprise. Legislative staff discovered it is already against the law to pick crops on private land without permission!

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Simpler Fishing Rules (Rep. Michelle Dunphy). My bill to establish a commission to simplify and clarify fishing laws and rules was killed, but DIF&W promised to get this done this year. It’ll be interesting to see if they do, and how they simplify our overly-complex fishing rules. Shooting More Turkeys (Senator Paul Davis). My bill to increase the turkey bag limit, eliminate the turkey permit fee, and allow online tagging of turkeys was killed after DIF&W strongly opposed it. But in the final work session on the bill, I asked the IFW Committee to use my bill to give the department authority to set bag limits and seasons, and to schedule special turkey hunts to reduce problem turkey populations. Currently bag limits and seasons are set in law, so the agency can’t change them without legislative action. And in the agency’s new draft turkey management plan, they included a goal to do

just what I proposed in the amendment. So the agency staff stepped up at the work session to tell the committee that they would like this to be done, and it was. And they have thanked me since then for getting this done. Hatcheries (Rep. Jared Golden). I thought it was time to take a new look at DIF&W’s hatcheries, and proposed a commission to do that. I am particularly concerned that nearly all of the Fisheries Division’s money is spent raising, stocking, and researching hatchery fish, to the neglect of our native and wild fisheries. But DIF&W opposed and killed my bill, although, at the IFW Committee’s request, they did submit a written report on what they’d accomplished in response to recommendations from a previous Hatchery Commission issued in 2002. Exotic Animals (Sen. Scott Cyrway). I stirred up quite a hornet’s nest with my exotic animal bill. But an amended ver(Continued on next page)

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�������������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2017 • 19 (Continued from page 18)

sion of the bill addressed what I feel are two critical issues. The bill significantly increased penalties for those who fail to get the required permit for their exotic animal, and for those who fail to notify DIF&W when their exotic animal escapes. The amended bill also strengthened the law giving DIF&W authority to require chips identifying the owners of some exotic animals. Fall Fishing (Rep. Russell Black). After last fall’s drought ruined fall fishing for many anglers before the open water season ended on September 30, I proposed a bill to expand catch-and-release fishing to the end of October. DIF&W opposed and killed the bill. So it was ironic that not long after killing my bill, the agency asked for and received permission to extend the ice fishing season in the same northern Maine region that my bill addressed. Moose Research (Rep. Peter Lyford). Frustrated that we’re doing nothing to protect our moose from the devastation of ticks, I proposed a bill directing all the money the agency raises from the moose lottery and hunting permits to research and management of moose. Even though the new draft moose management plan calls for more funding for research, the department testified against my bill, stating that it does not need more money for research and management of our moose. And that was enough to kill my bill, probably my biggest disappointment this session. Comprehensive Hunting/ Fishing License (Rep. Gary Hilliard). This was my second try for a comprehensive hunting and fishing license, for those of us who are frustrated by all the hunt-

ing permits we must purchase in addition to our hunting license. But DIF&W raised lots of concerns about the bill, as it did last session, and the bill was killed. If you want to know more details about any of the bills discussed above, feel free to review postings from earlier this year found at my outdoor news blog: www.georgesmithmaine.com. Deer Feeding Ban The Legislature extended the ban on deer feeding, while rejecting a bill to allow hunters to bait deer. And don’t worry – the deer won’t starve because of these actions. LD 767, sponsored by Representative Lance Harvell of Farmington, extended the prohibition on deer feeding. Current law prohibits deer feeding from September 10 to December 10. Here’s how the drafters explained the bill that will now become law: “This amendment expands the prohibition on baiting deer during an open hunting season on deer to also prohibit feeding deer by placing salt or any other bait or food in a place to entice deer to that place from June 1st to the start of an open hunting season on deer and from the close of all open hunting seasons on deer to December 15th if all open hunting seasons on deer are closed before December 15th.” Penalties for deer feeding violations were also increased to the Class E crime level. The hearing on LD 767 drew some very entertaining testimony. Roger Lambert of Franklin County said the impact of deer feeding is that “we’re raising herd of goats. This is a big deal up in the woods.” Lambert reported that deer feeders are drawing deer into the villages, and hunters are now sitting along those trails. Harvell suggested that we need to educate

nonhunters about the problems caused by deer feeding and the new restrictions. The committee discussed an even longer ban, but DIF&W would not support a ban that started earlier than June 1. Hooray for Arctic Char Restoration! The restoration of Arctic charr in Big Reed Pond is a very big story. After years of waiting to find out if the restoration worked, I feared failure. But in late June, DIF&W issued a press release announcing that their fisheries biologists had finally determined that the charr are naturally reproducing in the pond. Hooray! Charr are now found in only 14 Maine waters, and are challenged in many of those. And the Big Reed project was expensive, although the cost of the project has not been disclosed. Lots of groups and individuals deserve credit for this achievement, including Igor Sikorsky of Bradford Camps who spent a lot of money assisting the reclamation effort. Two years ago, Igor flew my friend and long-time Maine guide Gary Corson and I into Big Reed for a day of fishing. We caught lots of brook trout, but no charr.

For a while I believed the department had made a mistake in reintroducing brook trout at the same time they reintroduced Arctic charr in Big Reed, because the trout were doing very well and no evidence that charr had spawned was being found. Others also deserve lots of credit for this achievement. In its press release, DIF&W reported that they partnered with “The Nature Conservancy, The Bradford Camps, Mountain Springs Trout Farm, and The University of Maine to complete the project. The Presque Isle High School Aquaculture Facility and the Maine Army Aviation Support facility in Bangor provided significant volunteer assistance. The Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund provided financial support in three sepa-

rate grants to help support the hatchery efforts. US Fish and Wildlife Service Sportfish Restoration Funds were critical to this restoration project, as well as most other freshwater fisheries management and conservation efforts by the MDIFW.” I am especially pleased to note that the Outdoor Heritage Fund provided three grants, because that program was my idea and was successfully championed by a partnership between the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine and Maine Audubon when Angus King served as Governor. DIF&W fisheries biologist Frank Frost, who has worked for years on this project, also deserves special recognition.

¶

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Maine Wildlife: Herring Gull

by Tom Seymour

Check out any painting or drawing of the sea, and chances are it will include herring gulls. In fact, gulls have come to represent the ocean, despite their being present on inland freshwater lakes as well. Not to put too fine a point on it, but there isn’t any such thing as a “seagull.” They are all gulls, and the family includes different types of gulls as well as terns and skimmers. In the case of herring gulls, it’s better to call them herring gulls, but almost everyone just refers to them as “sea gulls” or just “gulls.” In fact, the first mental picture that comes to most people’s minds upon hearing the word “gull” is that of a herring gull. In that way, herring gulls have come to typify all gulls. Gulls swim like corks, buoyant as balsa wood. And unlike terns, gulls do not dive in the water for food, but rather pick up floating treats off the surface. Anyone who has gone out on a headboat will recall the great rafts of gulls following the boat back to port at day’s end, intent upon grabbing every morsel of fish parts as the mate or mates clean the day’s catch and toss the offal off the stern. Gulls have a wide range of personality traits. Pugnacious and prone to quarreling over a scraps of food, gulls have vacuum-cleaner appetites. In other words, they will eat anything and anything. And gulls are comical. Their antics charm tourists at seaside take-outs, piers and public landings. Some gulls even seem personable. For a time, one such herring gull was the darling of anglers on Moosehead Lake. His name was “Pegleg,” because he had only one leg. He played the part of seagoing gulls, following fishing boats and begging for treats. And as far as I know, ol’ Pegleg was seldom denied his portion of sandwiches, chips, or whatever else was on hand. Pegleg frequented the big lake for years, but one summer he failed to show up, leading locals to believe their darling Pegleg had gone to join the flock of gulls in the great beyond. Expert Scavengers Herring gulls lost a major source of forage when Maine towns closed their open dumps. Prior to that, every dump had its contingent of gulls. This included dumps far inland, great distances from the sea. We might ask how gulls managed prior www.MaineSportsman.com

to humans and their garbage dumps. Well, it’s likely that gull numbers were not as high as during the age of dumps. As their food sources increased, so did the gull population. This, of course, is my own theory and it’s open to challenge. But it makes sense and seems very reasonable, which explains why I include it here. As the dumps closed, another source of human-based food became available. As Maine towns began building their fast-food strips, herring gulls found a ready source of food in the odd French fry or hamburger bun found in and around fast-food restaurant dumpsters. So in an indirect way, Ronald McDonald and his kin helped sustain the local gull population. Gulls are also aware of another source of food, and that is large lawns and closecropped fields. That food is, of all things, nightcrawlers. One year, some time ago, spring came early to Belfast, Maine, and by mid-March snow had disappeared entirely. The ground thawed early too, and one night a heavy spring rain drove thousands of nightcrawlers from their burrows. The worms remained on top the next morning, unable or unwilling to scoot back down into their now-submerged burrows. It didn’t take gulls long to recognize this unexpected bonus. Soon, hundreds of gulls descended on the little park and began eating the countless nightcrawlers exposed there. This wasn’t an isolated incident, either. Gulls routinely visit parks and similar locations in search of nightcrawlers. Herring gulls are nothing if not opportunistic. Seaside Foods If anyone might wonder what herring gulls ate before the human contribution to their diets, it is much the same as what they eat today, with a few new foods added. For instance, apple trees, transplanted from Europe, often grow quite near the shore. Whether planted, which seems unlikely, or there by virtue of an apple core tossed into the water and finally landing somewhere above the high tide line and then germinating, gulls quickly recognized that apples make good eats. Watching a gull eat an apple almost makes the viewer sorry for the poor bird. They struggle mightily to get their bills around a whole apple. Finally, after much pecking and manipulating, the gull manages to effect a break in the apple’s skin, and from there the task of eating the apple becomes much easier. Low tide opens the refrigerator door to herring gulls. Blue mussels, tiny crabs (including the invasive green crabs) and marine worms all become available. This explains why gulls often follow behind people digging clams. The birds eagerly pick up newly-exposed bloodworms and sandworms.

Once, a gull followed closely behind me while I was digging clams. Every once in a while the tines of my clam hoe would break a clam. Instead of adding it to my collection, the broken clam would remain where it was dropped. And as soon as my natural progression took me a few feet past the damaged clam, a gull was there to gobble it up. While gulls don’t exactly use tools, they are aware of certain laws of physics and apply them to their own well-being. This is evident when a gull snatches a blue mussel and then flies high in the air and drops the mussel. If things go as hoped for, the mussel breaks on the rocks below, providing the gull with easy access to the mussel meat. Evidence of this is seen on paved public landings and boat ramp parking lots. Just look around and it’s certain you will find mussel shells on the pavement – the remains of a gull meal. Gull Features Adult herring gulls, Larus argentatus, grow to a lengths of 23 - 26 inches and have huge bills, blunted at the end. The lower mandible of the bill features a red spot on the bottom near the end. Legs are pinkish in color. Back and wings are of a light gray, and wingtips are black. Head and breast are white, and tails are dark-colored. Herring gulls are adept at soaring and can seemingly remain in one place, barely moving, for long periods of time. This habit makes them quickly identifiable, even from a great distance. Herring gulls don’t contribute much to the common weal, neither do they detract from anything. They are just there, and we who so love Maine’s rugged coast are very glad for that.

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�������������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2017 • 21

Spring, 2017 Black Bear Hunt — A Daily Commute Across the Maine Border into Canada by Steve Vose Nervous – yes, nervous – best described my emotional state as I started my Canadian black bear hunt this past spring. I suppose that isn’t a strange emotion for a person to have, as they set out on an adventure to pursue one of North America’s largest omnivores, a creature having been documented attacking, killing and eating human beings. Strangely, however, my frayed nerves were not the result of considering the massive bruins that I would soon be hunting; instead, my fears related to transporting a firearm across a foreign border. In my youth, I grew up in the border town of Calais, and crossed

The author, himself a registered Maine guide who has led bear hunts in this state, became the sport earlier this year. He pursued black bear in Grand Falls Flowage, New Brunswick, just a few miles from the Maine/Canada border – close enough so he stayed nights in Maine and crossed the border each day to hunt. the US/Canadian border countless times, visiting such places as Montreal, Fredericton, St. John, St. Andrews and Prince Edwards Island. However, those trips were well before the attacks of September 11, 2001 and the resulting mandatory passport restrictions. And during none of those previous visits was I transporting a firearm. “Papers, Please” My guide for this adventure, Tim Daley with

Riverside Guide Service in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, assured me that any trepidation I was having was unfounded. He said as long as I carried a passport and completed the necessary firearms paperwork, the journey into Canada would be a piece of cake. Anyone transporting a firearm into Canada is required to complete a short one-page document upon which you must enter specific details about

your firearm, including caliber, barrel length and serial number. The completed firearm paperwork must be reviewed and stamped with an official seal of inspection by a Canadian customs official at the border crossing. This paperwork must then be kept in your possession for the duration of the stay. Firearms in Canada must be in your possession and cased at all times, when not being

specifically used for hunting purposes. The Commuter I had the added complication of traveling back and forth every day, as I was staying with family in Alexander, Maine and hunting in St. Stephen, New Brunswick. This meant a Canadian customs official had to re-check my passport and firearm paperwork (to make sure it matched the serial number on my firearm) during every crossing. This step only added a few minutes to my entry and by the third day of the hunt, almost all of the Canadian customs officials recognized me and were very helpful, pleas(Continued on next page)

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Bear Hunting (Continued from page 21)

ant and personable. Crossing back into the United States after hunting was even easier, a few quick questions and I was on my way. Truly, I learned I had nothing to fear about crossing the Canadian border, and by working with a good and knowledgeable Canadian guide, the entire process was easy to successfully navigate. Canadian guides are even able to provide Canadian hunting licenses to clients and tag harvested big game animals, further simplifying the entire hunting process. Forest Looks Just Like Maine Once the hunter is over the border and into the woods, the Canadian habitat looks exactly the same as the Maine forests … thick. Bait sites offer limited visibility, and often a bear will not be seen or heard until it

is feet from the bait bucket. The thick vegetation allows bears to lurk in the shadows, sometimes for hours, before finally deciding to venture into a bait site to steal a snack. To avoid being detected, hunters in tree stands must be motionless for hours, if they hope to trick a bear into creeping out of the woods and into range of bow or rifle. Given my chronic sore back, I have a difficult time remaining motionless longer than a few hours, and I usually need to stretch at the most inopportune times. I am very thankful that my Canadian guide had erected at several small wooded blinds at the bait sites, which were well blended into the surroundings with stick and brush. A hunter could sit, stand, stretch or read for

The author and his 177.2-pound spring bear, made possible by guide Tim Daley of Riverside Guide Service in St. Stephen, NB.

hours in perfect comfort. If more bear guides were able to provide these kinds of set-up for clients, the success rates would skyrocket! Hot and Buggy The thermometer read 94° F on the first night of hunting, and the mosquitoes were miserable. While oppressive heat can often be tolerated, being swarmed by a billion thirsty mosquitoes is quite another story. Fortunately, I had remembered to bring my Thermacell, and within a few minutes they had all

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dissipated. If not for this small device, even with a head net I am doubtful I would have made it through the entire evening without losing my mind. With sweat streaming down my face, I concluded the first night of hunting bear-less. Considering how hot it was, the lack of sightings did not surprise me. If you were covered in fat and thick black hair, would you be running through the woods on a day like that!??! Day #2 was the same

– sweat and mosquitoes; mosquitoes and sweat. The heat was unrelenting, and even at 9:30 PM the thermometer still read 85°F. The woods remained quiet – all creatures seemed to be lying low, waiting for the heat to relent. Day #3 Brings Relief – And Bear On Day #3, the temperature dropped nearly 40 degrees, and my spirits shot high. After having their movements repressed for over 48 hours, black bears would surely (Continued on next page)

�������������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2017 • 23

At that moment, muscle memory took over, the scope’s cross hairs tucked into the bruin’s forward shoulder, the safety slipped quietly off, and my finger began squeezing the trigger. (Continued from page 22)

be on the move tonight. Settling into the blind, I made myself comfortable and prepared for the long sit. At approximately, 7 PM, I noted a black object slide slowly by about 10 yards in back of the bait barrel. With excruciating slowness, the shape crept through the underbrush and into the small opening. My lips silently mouthed the words “Big bear; nice bear; shooter bear!” Suddenly, a suicidal red squirrel flew, chattering loudly, out of a nearby tree, and the frightened bear tore off into the woods as if his tail were on fire. For the preservation of a professional level of decorum in The Maine Sportsman, a respected family magazine, I will not share my thoughts on how I felt about that squirrel. Slowly the minutes drifted past and I had to realize that this evening’s hunt was soon to pass with yet another swing and a miss. The Bear Returns! Then a twig snapped, and everything suddenly changed. The big blob of black was back, and again he was slinking, edging, creeping into the bait site. The bear presented a head-on shot – no exposed vitals – and again I thought the evening was likely, over as I watched the minutes evaporate and the end of legal shooting time draw near. And that is when it actually happened – the bear shifted position and presented an entire broadside shot. At that moment, muscle memory took over, the cross hairs tucked into

the forward shoulder, the safety slipped quietly off, my finger squeezed the trigger, there was a loud bang, the smell of gun powder, my right hand worked the bolt, another shell was loaded, ears listened to breaking branches and a then, a heavy crash . . . bear down. I let out a long, heavy breath, unsure how long it had been since I had last drawn air. It had been a good shot, true to its mark. Through a crackling cell phone, I called the guide and said two words over and over in hopes that something would transmit . . . “Steve, bear, Steve, bear, Steve, bear.” It worked, the guide repeated my words and help was on its way. Brief Tracking Time Because of my experience as a Registered Maine Guide, and because I have guided bear hunters in the past and have hunted and tracked bear and other large game animals for years, the guide had told me earlier that if I wanted to check for blood and conduct a brief search for the bear, I was allowed to do so. After packing my gear and again checking my rifle’s safety, I slowly walked down to the bait site. Initially I was disappointed (and a bit shocked) by the lack of blood at the impact site,

but these concerns quickly abated when, after walking another 4 feet, I found a large blood trail that stretched for approximately 25 yards into the woods. The trail led to where the large bruin had collapsed. Later, upon butchering the animal, we discovered that both lungs had been vaporized … a clean, quick kill. The bear weighed 177.2 lbs, and for me was not just a bear, it was THE bear, THE bear that possessed the size and mass that I had been looking to shoot for the previous seven seasons.

Bear meat makes wonderful food when properly prepared. In a future article I will reveal my recipe for bear meat enchiladas. Vose photo

Going Home The guide and I both worked diligently to skin and quarter the animal to prep it both for taxidermist and butcher. Once the bear was in the cooler, taking the animal from Canada and into the US required some additional paperwork. However, the guide had all of these materials in order, and even crossed the border with me to ensure I did not encounter any difficulties. In a future article I will write about how misunderstood bear meat is, to many hunters and cooks. When properly prepared, bear meat rivals the best store-bought fare. I may even share my recipe for bear enchiladas!

¶

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Fresh herbs make it special —

Partridge, Thyme and Apples When you can use fresh herbs, do! There really is nothing like the flavor of herbs to change a dish from boring to best. There are many perennial herbs that

survive in Maine, including five types of thyme, two types of oregano, lovage (tastes like celery leaves), savory, several varieties of chives, spearmint and more.

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Directions: Strip thyme leaves from stems, chop and press half into partridge breasts, then season with salt and black pepper. Heat oil in large cast iron pan, and cook fillets for 2 minutes per side or until cooked through. Remove partridge from pan, cover to keep warm. Melt butter in same pan and add apples, shallots and remaining thyme. On medium heat, sauté for 6-8 minutes or until softened and lightly browned. Add wine to pan and stir to scrape up anything stuck to bottom of pan, boil to reduce slightly. Arrange partridge breasts on warmed dish; add apples and onions with pan juices spooned over top, serve with your favorite vegetables out of the garden or buttered noodles!

�������������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2017 • 25

Getting Into the Sport of ATVing Part 1

by Cathy Genthner For years, I’ve written stories about ATVing, and in the course of researching those stories I have thought about how satisfying it would be to own a machine. The cost was the main thing that held me back. So I saved for a few years, always thinking that someday I would be on the trails. This spring, at the age of 57, I bought my very first ATV – a 2017 CF-Moto CFORCE 500 two-up. It is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life – from a recreational and practical standpoint. My age and gender typify today’s first time ATV owner – someone who is older and a woman. ATVs used to be

ATVing is no longer just a younger person’s sport. Rather, the activity brings together folks of all ages, incomes and backgrounds. A few years ago, a 70-year old woman won the annual prize from ATV Maine for having traveled the greatest total distance by ATV in the previous 12 months – she’d gone 5,000 miles! thought of as a motorcycle for the woods, driven by young males overflowing with testosterone who want to ride fast enough to break the sound barrier and return home with an ATV caked in mud, as a sign of trail prowess. “The sport is a lot more family-friendly than it used to be. It started out with mostly younger males. But now, those who are getting into the sport are older, and more women are riding now too,” said Mike Lee, vice

president of ATV Maine. “Side-by-sides have opened the sport up to more people. It is no longer only a younger person’s sport.” In fact, dealers now

report that nine out of ten new ATVs that are sold are side-by-sides, a design that encourages couples and families to hit the trails.

More ATVs; More Miles In general, the number of ATVers is on the rise. Presently in Maine, there are about 70,000 registered ATVs, according to Brian Bronson, ATV Coordinator for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. And the state’s statistics reveal that the registration numbers have been increasing at a rate (Continued on next page)

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

OQUOSSOC Oquossoc Marine Inc. 87 Carry Road 207-864-5477 oquossocmarine.com

TOPSHAM Woody’s Performance Ctr. 70 Topsham Fair Mall Rd. 207-729-1177 teamwoodys.com

*Offers vary by model. Rebate offers valid on select 2014-2017 new and unregistered models purchased between 7/26/17- 9/30/17. Finance offers valid on select 2014-2018 new and unregistered models purchased between 7/26/17- 9/30/17. See your authorized dealer for complete details. Rates as low as 2.99% APR for 36 months. Examples of monthly payments required over a 36-month term at a 2.99% APR rate: $29.08 per $1,000 financed; and at an 6.99% APR rate: $30.87 per $1,000 financed. An example of a monthly payment with $0 down, no rebate, an APR of 2.99% APR for 36 months at a MSRP of $9,999.00 is $290.74; total cost of borrowing of $467.60 with a total obligation of $10,466.60. Down payment may be required. Other financing offers may be available. See your local dealer for details. Minimum Amount Financed $1,500; Maximum Amount Financed $50,000. Other qualifications and restrictions may apply. Financing promotions void where prohibited. Tax, title, license, and registration are separate and may not be financed. Promotion may be modified or discontinued without notice at any time in Polaris’ sole discretion. Warning: Polaris off-road vehicles can be hazardous to operate and are not intended for on-road use. Driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license to operate. Passengers, if permitted, must be at least 12 years old. All riders should always wear helmets, eye protection, and protective clothing. Always use seat belts and cab nets or doors (as equipped). Never engage in stunt driving, and avoid excessive speeds and sharp turns. Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. All riders should take a safety training course. Call 800-342-3764 for additional information. Check local laws before riding on trails. ©2014 Polaris Industries Inc.

www.MaineSportsman.com

26 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��������������������������������������������������

ATVing Special (Continued from page 25)

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JACKMAN SKOWHEGAN Jackman Power Sports Whittemore & Sons 549 Main Street 257 Waterville Road 207-668-4442 207-474-2591 *Offer valid at participating U.S. dealers to U.S. residents on new and unused 2010–2015 Arctic Cat ATV models excluding youth, rental, government and special services models. See dealer for details and jackmanpowersports.com whittemoreandsons.com program dates. 4.9% FINANCING FOR 60 MONTHS valid on 2010-2015 models, Financing provided through Sheffield Financial or FreedomRoad Financial and is subject to credit approval; not all applicants

will qualify for credit. Financing promotions void where prohibited. 2-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY valid on 2015 models and includes six-month limited factory warranty and 18-month extended service *Offer valid July 1, 2017 – September 30, 2017 at participating U.S. dealers to U.S. residents on new 2016-2017 Arctic Cat ROV models excluding government, rental and special services models. See dealer for details and program dates. 3.9% FINANCING FOR 60 MONTHS valid on contract through Cornerstone. REBATES TO $1,000 valid on 2010–2014 models and varies model purchased. Offer subject to change notice. Excludes tax, freight and dealer Only ride 2015-2016 models. Financing provided through Sheffield UP Financial or FreedomRoad Financial and is subject to credit approval; notby all applicants will qualify for credit. Additional financing options without available through Sheffield Financial, Freedom Road Financial andsetup. Roadrunner Financial. an ATV that right for yourwillage. Supervise riders document youngerfee. than 16. Arctic Catvoid recommends all riders take avalid training course andvary read and purchased. understand owner’s Customers usingisSheffield Financial be charged a $50 consumer Financing promotions where prohibited.that REBATES UP TO $2,500 on 2016-2016 models by model Offer the subject to change manual before operation. For safety information, callROVs the ATV Institute atImproper (800) 887-2887. Arctic Cat For Sales River without notice. Inventory may vary by dealer. Offer or validtraining while supplies last. Excludessee tax, your freight dealer and dealerorsetup. can beSafety hazardous to operate. use can cause©2015 severe injury or death. your Inc., safety,Thief each rider must wear a seat approved helmet, eye protection and protective gear. Avoid excessive speeds and be particularly careful on difficult terrain. All ROV operators must be 16 years old and have a valid driver’s license. We recommend Falls, MNbelt, 56701. that all riders take a training course and read and understand the owner’s manual before operation. See your dealer for safety or training information or visit http://rohva.org. ©2017 Arctic Cat Sales Inc., Thief River Falls, MN 56701.

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©2015 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. In the U.S.A., products are distributed by BRP US Inc. Offers valid in U.S.A. only, from February 1,

2015 to April 30, 2015. See an authorized Can-Am dealer for details. The conditions may vary from state to state and these offers are subject to termination or change at any time without notice.� Rebate up to $2,000 on select © 2015 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserve<!.™.®, andrebate the applicable BRP logo trademarks ofATVs Bombardier Recreational Products, Inc. onortheitsmodel affiliates. other trademarks arelast. the¥ Rebate property of their 2014 models: to neware and unused 2014 Can-Am and Can-Am side-by-side vehicles. Rebate amount depends purchased. 1AII Dealer may sell for less. While quantities up to $800 on select 2015 models: rebate applicable to new and unused 2015 Can-Am ATVs and Can-Am side-by-side vehicles. Rebate amount depends on the model purchased. Dealer may sell for less. While quantities last. � GREAT FINANCING : respective owners. In the USA, the products are distributed byLowBRP US Inc. BRP reserves the right, at any time, to discontinue or change specifications, prices, designs, features, models or equipment without incurring obligafinancing rates are available. Subject to credit approval. Approval and any rates and terms provided are based on credit worthiness. Multiple financing offers available. Other qualific ations and restrictions may apply. Financing promotion void where prohibited. BRP is not recommends responsible for any errors, or actions related to the financing providedcourse. by the financial the right, at any time, to discontinue or change specifications, features, models or equipment without at tion. Some mcxlels depicted may include optional equipment.incurring BRPobligation. highly thatchanges all ATV drivers take a training Forinstitutions. safety BRP andreserves training information, see your dealer or, in prices, USA,designs, call the ATV Safety Institute Some models depicted may include optional equipment. BRP highly recommends that all ATV drivers take a training course. For safety and training information, see your dealer or call the ATV Safety Institute at 1-800-887-2887. ATVs can hazardous to 739-1535 operate. For your safety: always wear the a helmet, eye protection, and other protective clothing. Never carry passengers on any ATV notWear specifically designed by theprotective manufacturer for such use. and All adult model CanFor Am ATVs are Category 1-800-887-2887. In Canada, call the Canadian Safety CouncilbeG ATVs at (6131 ext 227. Read Operators Guide and watch the Safety DVD before riding. appropriate clothing helmet. side-by-side (General Use Models) intended for recreational and/or utility use by an operator age 16 or older. For side-by-side vehicles (SxS): Read the BRP side-by-side Operator’s Guide and watch the Safety DVD before driving. For your safety: wear a helmet, eye and other protective gear. Fasten lateral net andexcessive seat belt at all times. Operator must be at observe least 16 yearsapplicable old. Passenger must be at laws least 12 and years old and able to hold handgrips and plant feet while seatedand againstATVs the backrest. and SxS are for vehicles, fasten lateral net and seat belt at all times. Neverprotection engage in stunt driving and avoid speed. Always local regulations. Side-by-side vehicles areATVs recommended only; never ride on paved surfaces or public roads. Always remember that riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. Never engage in stunt driving. Avoid excessive speed and be particularly careful on difficult terrain. Ride responsibly. 9100637 for drivers aged 16 and older, and passengers aged 12 and off-road older use only. For off-road use only. Never ride on paved surfaces or public roads. Always ride responsibly and remember that riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix.

www.MaineSportsman.com

Can-AmOffroad.com

The author of the story, Cathy Genthner, at the age of 57, is typical of the growing number of female and older riders who are getting into the sport of ATVing. Forrest Genthner photo

of three percent a year. “ATV culture is different for different people,” said Bronson. “Some like to go alone or with family, while others like to ride with groups or clubs. Some like long rides and even extended trips, but others prefer just going out for an afternoon or evening. While on the trail, I have met doctors, nurses and farmers and laborers. It is interesting to see how much variation there is in peoples’ backgrounds and in the ages of those who ride.” Coincidentally, ATV Maine hosts a competition every year where the person who rides the most miles in one year is recognized. A few years ago, the overall winner was a 70-year old woman who had ridden more than 5,000 miles! The Practical Reasons for Buying an ATV As a camp owner, I find the uses for an ATV are as endless as the list of chores and projects that need to be completed. This summer while my son and I were at our camp in Medford, we took down a deck using the winch that came with our ATV. I think winch-

es should be standard for every ATV, because sooner or later, you will get stuck! We were also able to hook up a trailer to the ATV and use it to haul brush. If we’d had to hire someone to do all that work, it would likely have cost close to $1,000. The ATV saved us money. “It has allowed us the versatility of having a truck, without having to buy a truck. It has made it so much easier to get around the camp,” reported Forrest Genthner. The Recreational Reasons for Buying an ATV Okay, now that I have rationalized the economic and practical reasons for buying an ATV, let’s not forget that they are just plain fun. ATVs can also get you to some great fishing, hunting and camping areas that are inaccessible by vehicle. With the right accessories and attachments, they can haul equipment, or even drag a moose. Maine is an incredibly beautiful state, and seeing it by ATV gives the rider a new perspective of our woods, waters, (Continued on next page)

�������������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2017 • 27 (Continued from page 26)

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Many of Maine’s 7,000-plus miles of ATV trails are marked with informational and directional signs. Cathy Genthner photo

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issue of posted land and maintaining or restoring landowner relations, and the importance of joining your local ATV club.

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TOPSHAM Woody’s Performance Ctr. 70 Topsham Fair Mall Road 207-729-1177 teamwoodys.com

SKOWHEGAN Whittemore & Sons 257 Waterville Road 207-474-2591 whittemoreandsons.com

GORHAM, NH Absolute Powersports 461 Main Street 603-466-5454 absolutepowersportsnh.com

Offer available on approved purchases of new 2014-2018 Yamaha Side-by-Sides made on the Yamaha Credit Card issued by WebBank, member FDIC. Subject to credit approval as determined by WebBank. Offer valid through 9/30/17. Available to existing cardholders of the WebBank Yamaha Card. Account must be open and current to be eligible for this offer. **1.99%, 5.99%, 6.99%, or 12.99% APR with Minimum Payments of 2.87%, 3.05%, 3.10%, or 3.39% respectively of the purchase price balance, based on your creditworthiness, are effective until the purchase is paid in full. Minimum Interest Charge $2. Standard APR 15.99%-23.99%. *Purchase a new 2017 Yamaha Wolverine or Viking between 4/12/17 - 9/30/17 and receive a Free 18 month Y.E.S. (Yamaha Extended Service) Contract for a total of 2 years Genuine Yamaha Coverage. Includes 6 month Factory Warranty + 18 month Y.E.S. Or Warn® Vantage Winch with mounting kit offer available through participating Yamaha dealers only. Dealer participation may affect this offer. Installation not included. tCustomer Cash offer good on select models between 6/1/2017 to 9/30/2017.

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28 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��������������������������������������������������

On-Road Use of ATVs — How Safe Is Tt? More and more small towns are allowing ATV use on public roads in designated areas, including main streets in Rangeley, Greenville, Van Buren, Millinocket and a few dozen other Maine towns. This is happening even as ATV manufacturers, industry groups and the federal Consumer Products Safety Commission strongly oppose on-road use of ATVs. What is happening here? Is it safe? Big Business All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) use in Maine is growing and has become a very large part of the tourism economy during the past 10 years. The Pine Tree State has approximately 70,000 ATV registrations and more than 6,000 miles of designated ATV trails, more than any state in New

England. The economic impact of ATVs is estimated to be as much as $500 million per year, with $2.5 million in direct revenue to state coffers. For small rural towns, ATVs are money in the bank. Restaurants, shops and gas stations earn a substantial portion of their income from ATV users. Some towns have worked hard to become destinations for ATV users, designating themselves as “ATV friendly” with events and special attractions geared toward the ATV community. With such an extensive trail network, it is no surprise that ATV trails often must cross public roads, or require travel on public ways for limited distances to access the trail network from set-

tled areas, campgrounds, or parking lots. And in almost 50 towns across the state, ATVs are allowed to share public roads and highways along designated routes to access businesses or services near the trail network. In a few towns, all the townowned roads are open to ATV use. But Is It Safe? I couldn’t help but wonder – are we seeing more incidents and injuries in Maine from the growing trend of ATVs using public roads? An article from Scripps news service in 2015 noted that, nationally from 2009 to 2013, there were more on-road ATV-related fatalities (1,243) than off-road fatalities (999), with 68% of on-road ATV deaths occurring on paved roads

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These young drivers are on the shoulder of the road, but will they stay there? The author’s column analyzes who makes the decisions regarding use of public roads by ATV operators, and what conditions or limitations apply.

(Consumer Products Safety Commission data). These statistics are worth pondering. It isn’t possible to say how many of those on-road fatalities resulted happened in “designated areas” or if they happened from improper/illegal use of public roads. I contacted Maine DIF&W and DACF (the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry), but found there are no specific data for designated ATV access routes in Maine, although I would presume the split in off-road and on-road crashes is similar here, plus or minus a few percentage points. In any event, I wanted to learn what we are doing to ensure that ATV users are as safe as they can be when using public roads. Who Decides? Who decides when and where ATVs can travel on a public road? And what are the rules? Can ATVs drive in the main travel lane, or must they stay to the right? Should they travel the speed limit, or stay at a speed that is safer for ATVs? And, how do the ATV riders and on-road ve-

hicle drivers know what rules apply? The rules here in Maine are town-specific, and what is allowed in one town may be prohibited in the next. This can lead to confusion and dangerous situations, especially for car or truck drivers who might expect one set of rules to apply. For out-of-state drivers and ATV users, it can be even more confusing. Adding to the confusion is the fact that most ATVs have warning stickers that say “Never use ATV on public roads.” Manufacturers, of course, are trying to cover their hindquarters, and want to avoid being required to add more expensive safety equipment. But they also emphasize that the center of gravity and low-pressure tires on ATVs are not designed for on-road conditions. Rules of the Road Generally, ATVs must follow the regular rules of the road in these designated areas. For example, Maine law (Title 12 §13157-A) states that an ATV must travel in the same direction as motor vehicle traffic on a public way designated as an (Continued on next page)

�������������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2017 • 29 (Continued from page 28)

ATV-access route. However, “an ATV may be operated on the extreme right of a public way, or as directed by the appropriate governmental unit” (my emphasis). In Rangeley, for example, ATVs are allowed on Main Street, and are required to travel in the regular vehicle lane, not on the shoulder, but with a speed limit of 20 mph for ATVs. The posted speed limit for regular vehicles is 25 mph. In Van Buren, ATVs are required to stay to the far right, with a 15 mph speed limit. In some towns, the posted speed limit applies to ATVs. On paved roads with a wide shoulder, ATVs are required to stay on the shoulder, while on roads with unpaved shoulders, ATVs are usually prohibited, in order to prevent erosion and deterioration of the pavement. Better Communication Needed To allow ATV access on any state (numbered) road or highway, the ATV club and the town must apply to MDOT for approval. The reason for the confusing array of rules

is because Maine DOT, counties and municipal officials have flexibility to choose what rules they think are safest, based on local conditions and circumstances. Brian Bronson, Supervisor for the Off Road Recreational Vehicle Program in the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, sent me a copy of Maine DOT’s “Guidelines for The Establishment of Snowmobile and ATV Access Routes.” These guidelines are not formal rules or regulations, but they require MDOT and local officials to “consider”: 1) Sight distances – based on posted speed limits for road vehicles; 2) Access route locations- travel way vs off the road but in the rightof-way; 3) Shoulder width ATV use allowed on 4 foot wide shoulders, but not on unpaved shoulder that can erode; 4) Posted speed- depends on local conditions, such as straight vs curve, generally less than 45 mph for ATVs; and 5) Road and trail geometrics, including intersections. As a result, approval of an access route can

Quotable

Sportsman

by George Smith

I was screaming and crying and trying to hold it down. There were a few inches of really muddy water on the ground, so I just took all my strength and pushed it into the water. – Rachel Borch of Hope, who drowned a rabid raccoon that attacked her while she was jogging. Kim Lincoln story, Camden Herald, June 15, 2017. — There are probably fewer moose and there’s been a lot of active management by (Department of Transportation) with all kinds of things from reflective lighting to moose signs. – Lee Kantar, DIF&W’s moose biologist, reporting that statewide moose-vehicle colli-

come with a variety of conditions and requirements that are intended to ensure the greatest level of safety for that location in the judgment of the MDOT engineers. Town officials and engineers also must consider that ATVs may not have adequate lights, including brake lights and directional signals, nor safety features such as seat belts. Children under 16 are not allowed to operate an ATV on any road, but ATV operators do not need to be licensed drivers, so younger operators may not understand all the other rules that on-road vehicle drivers must obey. Approved ATV access routes must be marked, but local operating rules often are not posted for all road users to see and comprehend. And, of course, local rules are not always followed – hence, the appearance sometimes of a wild-west rodeo, as the number of ATVs continues to grow. Safety First I know that most ATV operators, especially club members, do their best to promote safe use, and follow the rules so that access privileges are not abused. Club members

The ATV map for downtown Greenville shows traffic flows, and demonstrates that town’s commitment to safety and awareness on the part of ATV operators and motor vehicle drivers. Map courtesy Moosehead Chamber of Commerce

are usually the first to speak up when riders flaunt the rules. The ATV community, as a whole, is very sensitive about angering landowners or town officials, which can result in trails being closed and access lost. I don’t think we will ever see a uniform set of

sions were down from 646 in 2007 to 289 last year. Kantar said our moose population has declined from 76,000 to an estimated 65,000. Deirdre Fleming story, Portland Press Herald, June 16, 2017. — There can’t be a bigger high in a bottle or a needle or a pill than seeing a 10-point buck with the sun shining off its rack walking up to you. There’s no bigger thrill in the world than something like that. – Dr. Robert Shelton of Winthrop, participating in a State Museum event focused on a documentary about hunting and fishing in Maine in the good old days. Kennebec Journal, May 14, 2017. — They will continue to get bigger. They have more wolf genes than the western coyote. – Roland Kays, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences researcher, on Maine coy-

rules, nor a complete ban on ATV road use. Yes, there are economic benefits for small towns, but as this trend toward more on-road ATV use continues, we need to keep public safety as the paramount consideration.

¶

otes. Deirdre Fleming story, Maine Sunday Telegram, May 7, 2017. — It’s a generational thing, too. There’s not another generation of trollers coming along. Everybody wants to be on moving water. There’s not any call for [guiding] pond fishing. – Dan Legere, Greenville fishing guide. John Holyoke story, Bangor Daily News, June 23, 2017. — It’s much cheaper to go down to the store and buy a piece of fish than to try to go and catch your own. – Brad Burns, President of Stripers Forever, an advocate for ending commercial harvests of striped bass. Mary Pols story, Maine Sunday Telegram, June 25, 2017.

¶

www.MaineSportsman.com

30 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��������������������������������������������������

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�������������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2017 • 31

Pittsburg, NH: The Autumn Be-All, End-All Location

.Co L .

Given that almost all of Pittsburg is owned by timber companies that actively log the land and allow its recreational use, there is a plethora of access roads available to hunt deer, bear, moose, grouse, woodcock, and any other game species you wish. There are also a multitude of opportunities for lake, river, and stream fishing. Below is an outline of some of the sub-regions and what they have to offer. Indian Stream The western edge of Pittsburg, which is separated from Canada by Hall Stream, can be accessed by the Hall Stream

te Sports Cen te r

L

Pittsburg, New Hampshire is the largest town east of the Mississippi River, by area. It comprises 282 square miles of land and 9 square miles of waterbodies. It has a population density of fewer than 3 people per square mile. No wonder it is the sportsman’s capital of New Hampshire! In the past, I have spoken of Pittsburg vaguely and from a distance, just trying to plant the seeds of travel aspirations in some eager minds. Now, though, I am going to give those eager minds the specifics they need to actually carry out their fall trip to the outdoorsman’s paradise.

Road, which actually begins in Canaan, VT, and the Indian Stream Road system, which starts on Route 3, about three miles southwest of the town of Pittsburg. This region was once in a border dispute between the US and Canada; amid the back-andforth tension, the residents actually created their own sovereign Indian Stream Republic. They eventually capitulated when the two countries were able to agree that the territory would be owned by the State of New Hampshire. The Indian Stream road is deceiving at first, as it starts through a

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Canoeing the remote waterbodies can be a rewarding way to scout deer or access hunting lands in the Connecticut Lakes region. On this particular paddle, we spotted several deer feeding in the lakeside meadows in the early morning fog. E. Emerson photo

beautiful valley with farm fields and houses; however, it quickly turns into a woods road. In about three and a half

miles, the road splits, allowing access to the both the east and west sides of the stream. (Continued on next page)

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32 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��������������������������������������������������

New Hampshire (Continued from page 31)

This is the only crossing point until near Terrell Pond, more than ten miles north. This western portion of Pittsburg is the lesser-logged portion. There are still ridges here that have good-sized stands of hardwood, and the valley bottom – especially up north – has lots of softwoods. The cutting here is interspersed, rather than being continuous as is the case in the eastern portion of the township. Although it’s called a “stream,” Indian Stream is quite big. In fact, when the water is high, many parts of it are canoeable. There are also quite a few deep bends and holes to drown a worm or cast a fly. Access trails and roadside venues are scattered all along the waterway. Perry Stream The next valley east of Indian Stream (and west of Route 3) contains the Day Road and the Farr Road, which follow the east and west sides of Perry Stream eleven miles north, just about to the Canadian Border. The Day Road, from which the Farr Road branches off, starts about halfway between Back Lake and the First Connecticut Lake, along Route 3. Perry Stream is about

the same size as Indian Stream, and the lower half offers a few fishing spots, as well. There are camps scattered along the streamside. Magalloway The Magalloway Region of Pittsburg is probably the most-known and -traveled area of the township. This is a massive road system that starts at Route 3, between the First and Second Connecticut Lakes. The expanse stretches south to Clarksville, North to East Inlet Road, and all the way east to Maine. Staying on the main Magalloway Road itself will bring you by Magalloway Mountain (with a beautiful hike to a cliff view and firetower), across the East Branch of the Dead Diamond River (with a short walk to the magnificent Garfield Falls), and out to the Parmachenee/Aziscohos Lakes Road on the Maine side of the border. The numerous branch and spur roads take travelers up ridges, down valleys, through clearcuts, and across streams. This is the heavily logged region of the township, offering many levels of regrowth, but very few – and small – patches of old-growth timber. Other than the singular crossings of the Connecticut River and the East Branch of the Dead Diamond, there isn’t any access to waterbodies in

this region. East Inlet The East Inlet Road is the northernmost road system to check out. Beginning along Route 3, between the Second and Third Connecticut Lakes, it fans east to the Maine border and north to the Canadian Border. East Inlet, located less than two miles off the paved road, is a large flowage out of a bog that is full of brook trout. There’s a sizable boat launch for the waterbody. The easily-navigable portion of the flowage is almost a mile long. Canoers can paddle far beyond that, though, into the heart of the giant bog. This is a great place for waterfront moose viewing in the summer. Upstream from East Inlet and the bog is Norton Pool, a deep hole in the meandering brook, which is a popular walkin fly-fishing destination. Following the road all the way to its most northern reaches will bring adventurists to a couple of high elevation ponds: Rhubarb Pond, a marshy waterbody, right cozy with the Maine border; and Boundary Pond, aptly named for its nestling up against the Canadian Border. At Boundary Pond, one can launch a car-top boat along the roadside and fish for brook trout.

Maylynda Emerson takes in the scenic Magalloway region of Pittsburg, from the top of the Magalloway Mountain Firetower. E. Emerson photo

Lakes are famous for their big-lake-in-a-remote-place feel—and also for their fishing. All three of the Connecticut Lakes (and Lake Francis) boast lake trout fishing (the only NH lakes with lake trout north of the notches). Lake Francis, First, and Second Lakes also offer fishing for the coveted landlocked salmon. Additionally, brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and cusk can also be caught in the lakes. The portions of the Connecticut River that span the lakes offer some of the best fly fishing opportunities in the state and possibly New England. In fact the state record brown trout—16 pounds—was caught in this stretch of the Connecticut River. Festival and Scouting A great time to scout the area before hunting season is in late August. In Canaan, VT, only fifteen minutes from the town of Pittsburg, the

annual North Country Moose Festival will take place on August 25th and 26th. There will be a assortment of scheduled activities to take part in or spectate, including a moose calling contest, dog show, ATV riding, moose chili tasting, horse-drawn wagon rides, classic car show, old-fashioned barn dance, and art and photography booths. Accommodations An abundance of outfitters, lodges, and cabin rentals are available in the Pittsburg region. If you are a do-it-yourselfer and like roughing it (or if your budget dictates it, as mine does), there are a couple of campgrounds in the area: Deer Mountain, and Lake Francis State Parks. Otherwise, do a quick Google search of lodges or a Craigslist search of rentals. So head for the wild north, and start your own adventure!

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�������������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2017 • 33

Releasing a Trophy Fish While Still Preserving a Memory Editor’s note: The Sportsman’s June, 2017 issue, included a letter to the editor from Sam Cushing of Scarborough, encouraging our publication to support a “CPR” (catch, photograph and release) category for trophy fish, in which a photographic proof would suffice to establish the size of a fish. That letter, entitled “Other States Have Adopted CPR (Catch, Photograph and Release) for Record Fish – Why Not Maine?”, sparked editorial discussions at The Sportsman, and prompted this piece by William Clunie. As I released the little brook trout, I heard the sound of a larger fish feeding just upriver from my position in the swift current of the river. I had been totally engrossed in catching six- and seven-inch brookies all morning, fawning over the small “pieces of artwork,” keeping them in the water as I gently removed the barbless hook and then letting them slip back into churning water of the river. As I moved upriver to see if I could locate the bigger feeding fish, I caught a glimpse of the glorious creature when its massive head protruded above the surface of the water to slurp a huge mayfly. I immediately tied on something similar and began casting well above the rising fish, letting the fly drift across the surface without any drag whatsoever. After a very long period of casting without a single strike, I stood there, letting the huge fly hang downstream while

The fish in my net was the biggest brook trout I have ever hooked into – a solid 20-inch trophy with the biggest, fattest body I’ve ever seen, complete with a nasty-looking hook jaw. I took a measurement, revived the fish and released it back into the river unharmed.

Gene Bahr sits in his shop, surrounded by references that help him carve the exquisite details of his next game fish. Now at the peak of his career, Gene has carved fish for anglers from all over the world.

I thought of my next move. As I stared at the half-submerged mayfly imitation, I watched as the massive brook trout came up from the depths of the deep pool, inhaled the fly, and then returned to the bottom, as my rod tip violently bent to follow it. I hauled back on the rod, more out of instinct rather than any kind of technique. Pulling this fish out of the strong current proved be a quite a chore, but after five attempted tries with the net I finally contained the big trout – and the hoop of the net just did not seem big enough. As several friends and onlookers watched, I gently coaxed the tired fish back to life, put it back in the net, took a measurement, and then released it back into the river unharmed. It seemed to take forever to revive the

fish, but when I let it go, the huge trout kicked its tail and sped away swiftly under its own strength – a good sign that the fish would live to excite another angler in the future. Trophy Fish I don’t mean to brag, especially because I can’t legitimately boast about anything; I’m a mediocre angler. It is just that I’ve fished for many, many

years, and I’ve grown used to catching plenty of nice fish. What I’m trying to say is that I don’t really care about trophy fish, or letting anyone know that I have caught a trophy … but this was the biggest brook trout I’ve ever hooked into – a solid 20inch brook trout with the biggest, fattest body I’ve ever seen, complete with a nasty-looking hook jaw. For some reason, the

photo that I took of the fish does not show its true beauty, nor does it give the viewer much of an idea of the massive size of the fish. Even so, I will have my friend Gene Bahr, a taxidermist who hand-carves replica fish, create a trophy fish to memorialize my big brook trout. Bahr’s carved fish have become an international sensation over the last ten years, as much of the angling world slowly changes its perspective on killing and mounting the trophy fish they so desire. I’ve killed loads of fish and fried them up for wonderful meals, and probably will continue to do so – but please note this next statement that I believe all anglers should follow and respect. I will never kill a wild, native fish that is taken from waters where it cannot support its own regener(Continued on next page)

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34 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��������������������������������������������������

Western Maine

fish in waters that cannot support a harvest, cross a bold, unethical line. These are the same kind of anglers who bragged about slaying “fifty to a hundred” trout in ponds and rivers across Northern Maine years ago, only to later discover that “the trout and salmon sure ar-

(Continued from page 33)

ation. I have no problem killing and eating stocked fish, or wild, native fish from someplace like Nesowadnahunk Lake (near Baxter Park) where the resource has been regen-

erating on its own for years with little effect from angling pressure. But in my opinion, anglers who take a fish from waters that have never been stocked before or kill a wild, native

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merous replies to the post crying foul about all sorts of things like, “Don’t you know you shouldn’t hold a fish that way, you’ll kill it,” or “Get your fingers out of its gills, that kills a fish,” or, “I hope you know enough to wet your hands before handling that fish.” Some of the replies go a little far and presume too much, but for the most part I’m so happy to see that folks are interested in keeping fish alive. Years of educating anglers have finally started to pay off, as anglers around the globe realize they don’t need to kill every fish they catch. The angling world has begun to understand what scientific fact has proved to fish biologists for years … in most situations, putting back big fish helps the resource. Returning fish to their habitat to continue to reproduce keeps the bigfish genes thriving, and allows other anglers the chance to enjoy catching the same fish several times in the future – while the fish continues

to reproduce and grow in size. Keeping the Fish Healthy Anglers can do several things to help the fish they catch survive and remain healthy: • Use a rubber net, and wet hands to keep from damaging the protective film on the skin of a fish. • Avoid playing a fish for too long and wearing it out…if needed, take enough time before releasing a fish so it can take off on its own power. • Gently move the fish back and forth in the water to allow oxygenated water to pass over its gills. • Keep your fingers out of the gills, and don’t grip a fish too tightly. • Never lay a fish in the grass or rock to photo graph unless the surface is really wet. • When photographing a fish, support the whole body with both hands, and keep its time out of water to a minimum.

¶

Here’s an example of traditional, lifelike carving of a freshly-caught landlocked salmon and brook trout on a birch bark mount, by Gene Bahr. Courtesy of Gene Bahr

MAINE WILDLIFE QUIZ: American Herring Gull by Steve Vose

The American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus), a member of the “gull” species of avian, inhabits an impressive range stretching across a majority of the United States, Canada, Cuba and even coastal strips of Central America. Look for Herring Gulls soaring along coastal shorelines or perched in groups sometimes numbering several hundred on almost any large open space near large bodies of water. American Herring Gulls, or just “sea gulls” as they are more commonly called, are among the most familiar gulls in North America. Gulls nest near sources of water where they construct nests that they simply scrape into the ground, then line with vegetation and feathers. Females lay 3 or 4 eggs that hatch in approximately one month. While adult Herring Gulls have light-gray backs, black wingtips, and white heads and bel-

lies, while juveniles have mottled brown back feathers that turn grayer – and feathers on the head and belly that whiten – as they mature. Juvenile Herring Gulls take approximately four years before reaching adult plumage. Herring Gulls communicate by producing a variety of calls that can be heard over long distances. The most vocal periods take place when the birds squabble during fights over food or territorial disputes. Juvenile birds emit highpitched plaintive cries to elicit feeding behavior from a parent, and a clicking call when threatened. Herring Gulls inhabit a wide array of rural and urban environments, from coastal and inland beaches to garbage dumps and fishing piers. They will eat almost anything, including in their broad diets everything from human food waste to fresh- and saltwater fish, crustaceans and a wide

array of small invertebrates. Scientists studying gulls have watched them pick up crabs and clams, fly them high into the sky and drop them on the rocks below. This behavior allows this crafty scavenger to break the prey animal’s protective shell and access the meat inside with minimal effort.

Questions 1. What is the range of the Herring Gull?

4. How long does it take for a juvenile Herring Gull to reach full adult plumage?

2. By what other more common name is the Herring Gull known?

5. Why do Herring Gulls typically call?

3. What is the difference in coloration between an adult and juvenile Herring Gull?

6. In what types of habitats can Herring Gulls be found? 7. What do Herring Gulls eat?

Answers on Page 64

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36 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��������������������������������������������������

Fishing and Bowhunting Along Maine’s Coastal Waters September finds the author sitting in a tree, overlooking a deer trail somewhere south of I-95 in the expanded archery zone, with his recurve bow hanging beside him. However, there’s also a 9-weight fly rod stowed in his truck. Surf exploding over seaweed-covered rocks at my back, and a hardwood forest spread in front of me, while sea mist drifted through the massive oaks, creating a mystic, prehistoric atmosphere. Heck, I could almost picture a dinosaur slowly feeding on green leaves hanging from the trees. I turned and gazed out over the green, whitecapped Atlantic Ocean and mumbled, “Next land is the English coastline.” It’s been a good mast crop year on this island off the coast of southern Maine – red-oak acorns cover the ground that’s interlaced with deer tracks and trails; the ground in many spots torn up by turkey and deer and the largest gray squirrels I’ve ever seen.

Just when you think you are in bowhunting heaven, you hear cars and trucks speeding north along I-95, just two miles away. Not exactly what one would expect deer hunting in Maine, but nonetheless there I was sitting in a large white oak with my bow and arrow resting on my legs, waiting for dawn with the hopes of a shot at one of the large does that lived on the island. A buck would be great, too. However, none passed by my stand that day. This is an island by definition only – there’s a bridge crossing a small river that runs along its land-side shore, while the seaward shore is typical, weather-beaten rocky

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coast. At low tide, the river runs dry and becomes a coastal marsh that deer can cross quite easily. During years with a good mast crop, deer migrate to the island, but in years without acorns, the the hunting can be slow. Expanded Archery Season Those with Expanded Archery Tags can harvest multiple does and one buck in the expanded archery zones this month (check law booklet for dates and locations). Gaining permission to hunt can be difficult, so public land is a good option. Rachel Carson Refuge allows bowhunting with a permit. It’s a good place to bowhunt, since few hunters take advantage of the opportunity. Habitat on the refuge is varied, with forested uplands, beach and dunes, meadows, salt marsh and rocky coastlines. One division has an abandoned apple orchard, with scattered boreal forests that I enjoy hunting. One could not create a better habitat for deer and other wildlife. That’s because the only time people can set foot on the refuge is during the expanded and regular archery seasons, although some areas allow firearm hunting during the general open season. Federal Wardens patrol the refuge, and bowhunters will encounter them regularly. A permit is required, for a nominal fee of $10. A packet is distributed that includes

With hungry fish and little competition from other sportsmen, autumn can provide some of the finest trout fishing that anglers will experience all year. Val Marquez photo

in-depth rules, maps of the divisions and hunting boundaries. Fishing and other outdoor activities are not allowed; and all tree stands and portable blinds must be removed when exiting the area each day. The above-mentioned maps show sections that allow hunting, with written boundary lines and other applicable information. To apply for a permit, stop at refuge headquarters on Route 9 in Wells, or find the application using an internet search engine. Saltwater Fishing, Too! Other sporting options are available this month. September is a great time to fish for stripers and other saltwater fish. Rock jetties that direct coastal river into the Atlantic Ocean are good spots to try. Mackerel are generally taken in deeper water while trolling jigs on a “mackerel tree”; however, if anglers locate mackerel, then stripers may lurk nearby within casting distance. It’s a food-chain thing. People planning to fish this historic coastal area should also consider the Scarborough Marsh.

Follow the old rail-bed trail to a deep, swirling pool. When conditions and tides are right, the foot bridge over the pool offers good striper fishing. Also try the Route 9 bridge, which crosses Mousam River in Kennebunk. Same for the bridge in downtown over the Kennebunk River, or the rock breakwater at its outlet. Interested angers should check, DeLorme’s Atlas, Map 2. Don’t Forget Trout! Could this be the best trout fishing of the entire year? Most sportsmen hang up their fishing gear this month and dust off archery gear or firearms for the upcoming hunting seasons. This would be a mistake, because as waters cool, trout become active, and the fishing can be the best of the year – at least for me. From September into early December, trout fishing can be superb. There are no biting bugs (although ticks are still active), hardly any competition from other anglers, and trout will eat every fly in your fly box. Brookies are in their (Continued on page 37)

�������������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2017 • 37 (Continued from page 36)

breeding colors, with hues that rivals all other fish and game, and leaves turn scarlet, yellow and orange. Brook trout are tough and hungry – they are aggressive and fight like demons this month. Historically, rivers with long-term stocking programs harbor large trout. My largest

Smilin’

fall trout caught from a stream in southern Maine was a 5-pound brook trout. That was years ago, so don’t expect fish like that regularly – eight to ten inches is a good catch here. Anglers stripping a streamer or bushy nymph deep or running a shiny lure near bottom, do well. Bait fished on bottom works as well.

Sportsman

Trolling streamers, lures and even a worm along shore at dawn and dusk will generally take trout and bass. Trout in streams hold in the moving waters, taking advantage of passing food carried along by currents. Trout in still water, however, must move to feed. So fishing still waters requires different methods Anglers

can troll to intercept fish (two moving objects have a better chance of meeting); or the fishermen can play the waiting game. Aquatic insects are still hatching – fly fishing topwater flies like Caddis and Mayfly patterns take aggressive trout. Streams boil with rising trout during evening hatches. Trout hammer emerge patterns as they reach

the surface You will find me sitting in a tree, overlooking a deer trail somewhere south of I-95 in the expanded archery zone – my recurve bow hanging beside me. However, there will be a 9-weight fly rod, set up and ready to go, waiting in my truck.

¶

Send your best hunting and fishing stories, and your favorite jokes, to the editor at will@mainesportsman.com!

Three men were drinking at a rooftop bar in Portland. One said, “See that canopy over the doorways 4 floors down? Watch this!” He jumped off the roof, landed on the canopy, and then bounced up in the air and landed gently back on the roof. “See? It’s easy!” he exclaimed. The second one said, “That’s unbelievable! Show me again!” The first man repeated the process, stepping out into the air, bouncing off the canopy and rebounding all the way back to the roof. “Now you try it,” he urged. The second man shrugged, stepped off the edge of the building, plummeted down, tore through the canopy, hit the pavement and broke both ankles. Back up on the roof, the third man said to the first man, “You know, Superman, after you have a few drinks, you can really be a jerk!” ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• A man who’d been at the bar all day got up and headed for the bathroom. Moments later, the other patrons heard a blood-curdling scream. After a short pause, another scream reverberated through the room. The bartender went into the bathroom and stood outside the stall, trying to find out why the fellow was screaming. “What happened?” he asked. “I don’t know,” said the fellow. “I’m just sitting here on the toilet, but every time I pull this lever to flush, I experience a terrible pain!” The bartender opened the door to the stall and looked in “You idiot!” he yelled. “You are sitting on the mop bucket!” •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Two guys were out walking their dogs – one fellow had a German Shepherd, and the other had a Chihuahua. They decided they wanted to get a drink at the local bar. However, the bar had a sign on the door: “No Dogs Allowed.” “No problem,” said the first fellow. “Just follow my lead.” He put on some dark sunglasses, and went to the door. “Sorry,” said the bouncer, “you can’t bring your dog in here.” “But this is my seeing-eye dog,” the fellow explained, and the bouncer let him in. So the second fellow put on dark sunglasses and walked up to the door. “I am here with my seeing-eye dog,” he told the bouncer. “But that’s just a tiny Chihuahua!” exclaimed the bouncer. “A Chihuahua?” yelled the man. “They gave me a darn Chihuahua!?”

¶

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38 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��������������������������������������������������

World’s First Twin-Prop Outboard! I don’t often devote a column to a new product introduced to the saltwater market, but Suzuki’s new DF350A, a 350-hp outboard, is truly a “first.” The new motor, unveiled this past June 9th, is unique in that it is the first outboard with counter-rotating propellers – two props on the same shaft that turn in different directions. Although the concept isn’t new – Volvo-Penta has offered counter-rotating props on its inboard/outboard (I/O) outdrive units for a number of years – the concept has never been applied to an outboard motor – until now. One of the challeng-

es facing designers of high-horsepower outboards (now available up to 627 hp from one company, if you can believe it!) is that conventional single-prop models require a big set of gears in the lower unit, which results in a big gear case. And, the larger the gear case, the more drag is produced in the water, which robs efficiency. However, spreading the torque load over two smaller 15-inch diameter propellers (which Suzuki calls “contra-rotating” props) and a strengthening of the gear materials allowed a decrease in the size of the gears, which resulted in a gear case

that is smaller and more hydrodynamic. Additionally, Suzuki says the contra-rotating props “grip” the water better than a single prop, which translates into enhanced maneuverability in both forward and reverse as well as improved efficiency. Light Is Right Another challenge for the company was to design a 350-hp engine that wouldn’t end up being too heavy. Although Suzuki’s previously largest outboard was their popular 4.0 liter 300-hp V-6, they went with an all-new 4.4-liter V-6 powerhead rather than try to wring the extra ponies out of

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Suzuki’s new DF350A 350 hp outboard with its contra-rotating propellers will likely be seen on the transoms of offshore center consoles in the coming months.

the 300 via a turbocharger or supercharger. The new engine gets much of its oomph from a higher (12:1) compression ratio, the highest among consumer outboards, and the company has upgraded its fuel injection system and strengthened the piston surfaces to handle this increased compression. The result is a V-6 outboard that weighs in at 727 pounds for the 25-inch shaft length, and 747 pounds for the 30-inch model, just 87 pounds heavier than the company’s 300-hp engine. Top Performer Although I have not yet had the opportunity to water-test the new

DF350A myself, performance is said to be very good. The large gear reduction (2.29:1) allows Suzuki to fit the right size props, depending upon the boat design and weight, for quick acceleration and higher top-end speed simultaneously. Initial tests indicate that the new 350 accelerates from zero to 50 mph about five seconds faster that a similar engine with a single prop. Suzuki has always been a leader in the outboard repowering market, and the new DF350A is designed to continue the trend. Its 55-degree cylinder bank affords a narrow profile, important (Continued on next page)

�������������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2017 • 39 (Continued from page 38)

because the motor can be mounted on standard 27inch centers in a twin or multi-engine configuration. In addition, the motors can be programmed for counter-rotation in twin engine applications, can be hooked up to a conventional hydraulic steering system that may

already be installed on the boat, and are controlled by an electronic fly-by-wire system that eliminates the old-style push-pull shift and throttle cables. Finally, the DF350A can run on 90 octane gasoline, the same as the competition’s similarly-sized outboards.

pect at least a decade of fine performance. I expect there will be a lot of interest in the new 350 for single and twin installation on offshore center-console fishing boats. Suzuki says the motors should be available at dealerships this fall, and I would suggest that if you’re in the market for an outboard of this

Offshore Oriented Retail price for the DF350A with a 25-inch shaft is $31,565, about $4,000 more than the company’s 300 hp, and right in the same price ballpark as competing 350s. Yes, big outboard motors are expensive, but if the DF35A is anything like Suzuki’s smaller engines, most folks can ex-

size, either on a new boat or for a re-power, give the DF350 a close look. For more information and full specifications, visit www.suzukimarine. com. Tuna Confusion Cleared Up There’s been a lot of talk on the docks along (Continued on page 41)

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Etiquette for the Off-Road Traveler As time goes on, I realize just what a precious land we live in here in Maine. The Western Maine Mountains where I live offer plenty of room to roam, full of all sorts of wonderful outdoor activities. It may be an overused cliché, but sometimes I really do have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. With this in mind, let me explain the one conundrum I have involving all of the wonderful choice outdoors lovers have in this state of Maine … there are so many things to do sometimes I can’t make a choice between

www.MaineSportsman.com

An increasing number of folks nowadays have no understanding of etiquette in the outdoors. Those individual think only of themselves, and act in total disregard of the negative influence their behavior has on those around them. two activities, especially when the activities are close together on the calendar; like snowmobiling and rabbit hunting, or deer hunting and grouse hunting in November. Another example happens in October when the choice to bird hunt, or instead to fish on some of the waters that remain open for that month. I have found a way to do both that brings Septem-

ber fishing and October bird hunting, by truck camping in remote areas of the state at the end of September and then shifting right into bird hunting the next few days of the beginning of the next month. Let’s begin with the understanding that I would rather fish or hunt in a location that takes a two-hour drive through logging roads to get to,

as opposed to fishing or hunting in a quick, easy-access location crawling with other folks. Not that I’m an anti-social fellow – just that I cherish time alone in the woods to the point where I’ll go out of my way to ensure this treasured tranquility. One Example I often climb up to glacial ponds to camp and

fish for gorgeous brook trout at elevations that rise 3,000 – 4,000 feet, just to get away from the crowds. Yes, sometimes I’d encounter other hikers up at the ponds on the peaks, but for the most part they’d sit for a bit and then head back down the mountain. A few hikers pack in gear for an overnight stay, but not many. This leaves the whole mountain pond to me, and me only. It really is the ultimate fishing getaway. Even when hikers stay overnight, they usual(Continued on next page)

�������������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2017 • 41 (Continued from page 40)

ly don’t get up early to splash in the pond, so I have the morning to fish the pond in complete serenity. Most hikers who I’ve encountered attempt to keep their distance, with an occasional oddball that just doesn’t get it. Most readers will understand this oddball as the guy that invades your personal space, complete with a Frisbee-retrieving dog that just has to play catch within your casting distance – all the while barking up a storm. Climbing up to the top of a mountain to get away from crowded fishing locations works for me, but some anglers really don’t mind fishing with other anglers around, and that’s okay, too. I just like being in the outdoors by myself most of the time or with a few close friends or family that understand the unwritten rules of travel in remote locations. Most Folks I don’t think I’m unique in this desire to

get away from the crowds – most of us who enjoy hunting and fishing just yearn for a little quiet time in the woods or waters. Sharing it with a few close friends or family members is one thing, but crowds can ruin the peacefulness in a hurry. I don’t want to sound like an old fogey, but an increasing number of folks nowadays have no understanding of etiquette in the outdoors (or indoors for that matter). An alarming number of today’s population only think of themselves and totally disregard the influence, negative or positive, they have on those around them. But let’s stick with the folks we encounter in the woods or on the water. Let’s also understand that we might occasionally fail to be more considerate around those that we meet in the outdoors. For example: I had climbed to a glacial pond, had a wonderful day of fishing, and after camping up there for a few days I started out on the trail leading back down the mountain.

Saltwater

(Continued from page 39)

the Maine coast this season as to whether charter/party and private-boat rod-and-reel tuna anglers are considered “commercial fishermen” and therefore required to have all the necessary commercial safety gear on board as well as a Coast Guard dockside safety inspection. A few weeks back, however, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), which issues recreational and commercial tuna licenses, sent out a release that helps clear up the confusion. First off, if you have a Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling Category (recreational tuna/shark, no-sale) Permit, you are not considered commercial and must only have the required safety gear for a pleasure vessel.

About half way down the mountain I noticed a fellow heading in on the trail with a fly rod in his hands. I was excited to see that someone else might also enjoy fishing these remote ponds and said, “Looks like you’ll have a beautiful day for fishing today. We caught several nice trout – they were even hitting topwater stuff.” The poor fellow never even looked up or skipped a step and mumbled, “You people kill all of the fish and wonder why there aren’t any fish around.” The Main Point The rude fellow didn’t even understand or care about his effect on me. Did he know that the biologist for that region encouraged me to take fish from that pond? And how did he even know if I killed a fish? And what business of his is it anyway? By the time I got to my truck I was angry enough to want to climb back up the mountain to finish the discussion with this grumpy elitist fool. The point here is this

If you have a General Category Tuna Permit, which allows sale of the larger bluefin tuna, and you have a Maine state license to sell fish, you are considered commercial and must comply with all the commercial safety requirements such as survival suits, life raft, and EPIRB, and you need a CG dockside inspection. If you have a General Category Tuna Permit and do not have a Maine state license to sell fish, then you are considered recreational and do not have to have the commercial safety equipment, just the appropriate gear for your class of pleasure vessel. Permit requirements are similar for party/charter vessels. For more info, contact the Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance at (202) 372-1249.

¶

Actions and words have consequences, even when offroad travelers are way back in the woods. Sportsmen and -women seek our remote areas for peace and quiet, not to get lectured or berated by uninformed busybodies. William Clunie photo

– when traveling about in the woods and on the water of this beautiful state, at all times keep in mind that our actions and words have consequences. Travel down the wrong trail or road and an angry landowner could post the whole area and spoil things for everyone. Leave trash around the campsite, and the same thing can happen. Choose not to ask permission to access someone’s land,

The DF350A sports a newlydesigned, high performance 4.4-liter powerhead with a 550-degree cylinder bank for a narrow profile, ideal for twin and multi-engine applications.

and similar land closings take place. Another thing to remember comes when we encounter folks who don’t understand outdoor etiquette … we need to educate these goofballs in a gentle fashion. Sure, some fools deserve a solid whack upside the head, but most of the time an understanding word works better for helping them see the error of their ways.

¶

The DF350A’s unique feature is a pair of counter-rotating propellers, the first for any outboard motor. The smaller twin props help reduce the size of the lower unit gear case for reduced drag under water, as well as improved handling characteristics and efficiency. www.MaineSportsman.com

42 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��������������������������������������������������

Whitetail Food Plots — Part 2

Hunting Tips and Strategies from the Pros For over 20 years, I’ve secretly wished for IF&W to open our archery season in early September, rather than early October. There’s no doubt in my mind that I’d have at least three or four more large-racked, heavy-bodied bucks on my wall if I could start bowhunting immediately following Labor Day. For years, I spent nearly every free evening I had in September glassing fields, trying to lay my eyes on adult bucks on the farms I hunted. My intention was never to have a close encounter – just to observe from afar and leave undetected. I played the wind correctly, kept my body and clothes clean and most of the times things worked out very well. One particular night in early September about 10 years ago, I was lucky enough to have a bachelor group of six adult bucks enter a field I was watching, nearly an hour before sunset. All of the bucks were big. Two in particular were extra-large. I estimated to biggest buck to have a live weight of nearly 300 lbs, and his rack was one of the larg-

If it’s after legal hunting time and you have to get down from your tree stand without spooking deer that have moved in to feed, call a friend and have him drive by the site on an ATV. The deer move away because of the motor vehicle, allowing you to descend undetected.

Following Joe Saltalamachia’s tips for planting and hunting food plots will increase the chances of seeing a trophy buck. In addition, foot plots provide needed nutrition to many different species of animals.

est I’d seen in Maine … he was going to push the Boone & Crocket minimum of 170”. I dreamed

of shooting him. Prior to those bucks entering the field, I thought of the stand I

had set up. It was a perfect night to hunt it. A slight breeze was steady out of the southwest. All

the deer entering the field from the main bedding area were coming in from upwind and staying there to feed, between 10 and 50 yards from the stand. Nothing downwind except me ... wishing I was in that stand and wishing it was open season. To Hunt the Food, or Not Hunt the Food? All too often, when archery season gets here, the only deer showing themselves in a clover or alfalfa field in the daylight are does, fawns and yearling bucks. The adult bucks mostly come out of the woods during those last few legal minutes of daylight or after legal shooting is over. This is especially true for food plots or fields planted within a quarter mile of human activity. The further isolated plots and fields are, the more likely they are to see daylight activity from all deer, including adult bucks. Hunting directly on plots of pure alfalfa or white clover from early September into early October can pay off big, but there are risks. Arriving (Continued on next page)

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�������������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2017 • 43 (Continued from page 42)

When clearing fields for food plots, create elongated brush piles or rows 40 - 50 yards downwind of your plot. Deer will use them as bedding areas to shield them from the elements.

in a stand very early is a must. Often, does and fawns will enter these fields very early. Arrive at the plot too late in the day, and the path to a stand might be blocked. Push the issue and bump deer, and they’ll often snort and blow any chance of an adult buck within earshot coming to the field during legal hours if at all. Be careful – it’s tough to exit a stand on the edge of a plot with deer in close proximity. I sometimes ask friends to drive to the plot in a truck or on a four-wheeler to move the deer off so I can exit without the deer knowing I was there. Deer exiting the plot leave because of the approaching vehicle, not because of a hunter. All too often, I think early season hunters don’t take advantage of morning hunts and deer heading back to bed after feeding in food plots all

night. Well-worn trails containing large tracks often lead the way to bedding areas. Finding clusters of rubs and clumps of large droppings is a great indicator of proximity to these spots. Placing stands between well-used plots and bedding areas, and staying closer to the bedding area, will often allow a hunter to get a crack at a good buck before they start their search for does.

What You Plant, Where You Plant and How You Plant As I mentioned last month, food plots are often planted without sufficient forethought and planning. I recently asked a food plot expert for his thoughts on early season hunting. Paul Cwiklinski, owner of Whitetail Food Plots USA, has been “food plotting” for nearly 30 years. He has traveled the country speaking with hunters about max-

imizing every hunting property’s potential. Cwiklinski stated, “I have found that not only do food plots benefit all wildlife nutritionally, but they are a contributing factor in relaxing deer. This means, even downwind of your stand, deer will often come in more relaxed.” “I like to plant several of my Whitetail Food Plots USA blends in strips in my plot,” Cwiklinski continued. “This

offers a ‘buffet’ of foods for the deer. Deer are like people, in that they have to acquire a taste for unfamiliar foods. Clovers and chicory work best for summer. Brassicas, groundhog radishes, beets and turnips work best for late summer and fall. By planting in strips and covering with several trail cams, you can monitor the deer’s feeding habits.” Cwiklinski keeps an annual journal for this purpose. Journals help hunters “pattern” deer, providing valuable data on details such as plot yields, and weather con(Continued on next page)

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Big Game

(Continued from page 43)

ditions. Paul’s final note: “When clearing fields, create elongated brush piles or rows 40 - 50 yards downwind of your plot. Deer will use them as bedding areas to shield them from elements. This also keeps them within a closer proximity to the plot.” Obviously if plot

builders decide to employ Paul’s advice with the brush piles, my advice on hunting closer to bedding areas in the morning isn’t a good one. Anyone hunting food plots in the morning should wait until it’s light out and be certain no deer are in the plots before entering. Getting into any stand without spooking deer

should always be a hunter’s number one priority. The main purpose of food plotting for most hunters is to attract deer to the land the plot is on. One of the biggest mistakes plotters make is not paying attention to the food around them. Sure, hunters not living in farm country have less to pay attention to, but those living in farm country should be very cognizant of what’s already planted around their property. If there are already large plots of clover or

alfalfa, it’ll be hard to compete with the same. Perhaps chicory would be a better option. If there’s no corn in the area, I would strongly consider planting some. Corn may not be a great early season plot, but deer are attracted to it in my area in early October as soon as it’s cut. Leaving some standing along the edges of a plot can put deer in close range of a stand. A warning … deer go through corn quickly. Even on 10-acre fields that are left standing be-

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cause they’re too wet to cut, deer in my area exhaust the resource very quickly if there are no other fields in the area. If a food plot plan is executed properly from start to finish, it will attract deer if they’re present in the area. Don’t expect to attract 10-15 deer a night in an area that has less than five per square mile. Big buck hunters take note – If those plots are attracting does, those bucks will follow. Sometimes it just happens during the third week of November or later. Planting food plots makes great sense for deer and overall conservation efforts. Building a plot where nothing existed before creates edge, and if done correctly, it will produce lots of food the local critters can utilize in building fat stores for the winter. Sure, they can attract deer and potentially increase hunter success rates, but there’s much more benefit to them than simply better hunting. If you planted one this year, I wish you the best of luck and thank you for improving the deer habitat in your area.

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Outdoors Folks Attracted to Prime Hunting and Fishing Locations Johnny Weaver, my moose hunting client, turned and gave me a look of cool desperation that told me he had been in this position before. I had called in a bull moose to exactly fifty yards that would easily make the trophy books, but Mr. Weaver needed me to bring the bull in closer by ten yards. Weaver was bow hunting and knew through years of practice that he had to limit his shots to no more than forty yards. This bull got hung up at fifty yards and turned broadside, then left before I could get him any closer. I called him in two more times, but the big bull did the same thing. I had Weaver’s 30-’06 Winchester bolt-action rifle in my hands, and the last time the big moose came in to the call I asked the seasoned hunter, “Would you like to drop him with your rifle…he’s a Boone and Crockett bull for sure.” I couldn’t have been more proud of Weaver when he responded, “It just wouldn’t be right, I want to shoot this one with my bow.” Even though Weaver ended up shooting a much smaller bull with his rifle later that week in a last ditch effort to fill his tag, he had held out on principle…something a lot of folks just couldn’t do. Moose Permitting Hunters with moose permits for this region (Wildlife Management District 7) have a huge hunk of land to scout, with many possibilities for tagging an excep-

Featuring trophy moose, abundant grouse and some fine late-season trout fishing in the Magalloway and Kennebago Rivers, the Rangeley Region is a hunting and fishing Mecca.

The author says that the forestland along the Tim Pond/Lincoln Pond Road, from its start at Route 16 near Wilson’s Mills to its end at Eustis, will produce trophy moose.

tional bull moose. Each year, several lucky hunters pull out trophy-sized bulls from the Rangeley Region. Anywhere along the full length of the Tim Pond/Lincoln Pond Road, from its start at Route 16 near Wilson’s Mills (DeLorme Atlas, Map 28, E-1) to its end at Eustis (Map 29, B-2), could produce a trophy bull. Check out all of the trails that branch off from the main logging road – plenty of them lead hunters right into some of the best moose hunting in the district. Big bull moose bed

down on the ridges, especially where logging activity leaves new-growth browse behind. Combine that with a water source, and hunters have a perfect moose-hunting location. The section of land where Lincoln Pond Road meets Morton Cutoff Road, all the way to Route 16, has been worked over by logging activity over the last several years. Certain parts of this area should be filled in with lush, nutritious browse. Find some high ground here, and there’ll be plenty of moose sign. Stopping and asking

loggers for information, a practice that’s usually discouraged, can be helpful if done the right way. Don’t bother active log-

ging operations by stopping and asking questions. Instead, wait until they take a break at noon and don’t look so busy. Definitely do not block the road to chat, or interfere with their heavy machinery. If I see them working on their machinery, I always stop and ask if they need any help. They usually respond in a mix of Canadian French and rural English, “I am to be okay with luck.” Grouse Search While moose scouting in September, don’t forget to also look for ruffed grouse territory. If you spot grouse this month, mark the spot, because those birds may hang in the same area until your return visit next month when the season begins. September’s cooler temperatures encourage bird hunters to start scouting, and to get out and brush up on shotgunning skills. Joining a shooting club and getting in a little practice helps sharpen techniques for next month’s opener. The Rangeley Trap and Skeet Club, in Oquos(Continued on next page)

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46 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��������������������������������������������������

Rangeley Region (Continued from page 45)

soc, holds a sporting clays shoot every Wednesday and Thursday from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., and trap shooting on Sunday from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. Their sporting clay event involves 17 to 18 stations, with guns and ammo available on request. Interested parties can check out their web-

site at www.rrsta.org or call Sheridan Oldham at (207) 864-4323, or just stop in to the range prior to an event located at the shooting range in Oquossoc (Map 28, E-3), on the Old Skiway Road. Coming from Rangeley, stay on Route 4 and pass through Oquossoc. Take the Old Skiway Road to the left, and look for the range at the very end of

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this road. The Wilton Fish and Game Club, on Route 2 in Wilton (Map, 19, D-4), also hosts clay pigeon shooting events Monday night, from 4 p.m. until they finish a course of shooting. The club carries a supply of ammo, available at a nominal fee, for shooters who don’t have a supply of their own. Call Charlie Tappan at (207) 462-6792 for further information – he’s been doing this for over forty years and could really up your game. Shooting clubs always encourage participants to enjoy the camaraderie and the fast shooting action of the events, while still remembering that safety remains the first concern at all times. September Fishing Report Three major river systems in the Rangeley Lakes Region offer anglers some of the finest September salmonid fishing in Maine – and prob-

ably New England. I’m talking about rivers full of big trout and salmon, situated in locations aptly described as strikingly pristine and picturesque. The Magalloway River starts at the Canadian border (Map 27, A-5), and snakes its way through a panorama of mountains in Western Maine. The river ends where it joins the outlet of Umbagog Lake in New Hampshire, forming the Androscoggin River. Another river with a similar angling history, the Kennebago River, flows from Big Island Pond (Map 28, A-3 and 4) to a place where Mooselookmeguntic and Cupsuptic Lakes merge (Map 28, E-3). This river reminds me of the Magalloway, in terms of its classy and traditional atmosphere. The sheer volume of angling history in these two rivers overwhelms me at times … or should I say, most of the time?

Rangeley Lakes Region

Last of the big three, the Rapid River (Map 18, B-1), pours from Lower Richardson Lake into Umbagog Lake. Equally historic, this classic flow boasts unparalleled trophy-class trout and salmon fishing. This river drips with fishing heritage – in the thunderous roar of the pulsing river, one can almost hear voices from the angling past. All three of these rivers provide heavenly hideouts worthy of an angler’s best efforts. Follow the logging roads that parallel these rivers, and drop off at any likely looking hole. Most of the holes that have proved worthy over the years have worn pullout areas for parking. Many other fishing holes remain hidden, and require a little map work to find. The pleasure, for some, is in the seeking out and discovering these elusive angling holes.

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September Fishing for Trophy Trout and Salmon Can Be Unpredictable Because nothing else had incited the large Kennebago trout to strike, I tied on a small caddis pattern with a green foam body. I stripped the fly back so hard that it popped under the water before bobbing up again. Then, Wham! – the river’s surface erupted. I spend July and August fishing simply. I walk mountain streams that stay cold during the hot spells carrying a lightweight fly rod, a handful of flies in a small box, and a water bottle. That’s all it takes to bring small but brightly-colored native brookies to hand. However, when September arrives, out come the full fly vest loaded with fat fly boxes of different patterns, multiple rods with a range of fly lines from full sinking to floating, a lanyard with a range of tippet sizes, a net, a camera, and a Go Pro. All that gear is required for fishing the spawning runs: targeting large salmonids that

are now reachable by fly rod, which they were not when they spent the summer deep in lakes and ponds. Hopefully, September brings the beginning of the spawning run for trophy-sized brook trout, landlocked salmon and brown trout. I include the word hopefully because the last two Septembers have featured exceedingly dry, hot weather. The fishing really suffered, as salmonids stayed in the lakes instead of migrating up rivers and streams. Cross your fingers that this year is different. Landing Net Spawning-run success can mean hooking

the fish of the year or perhaps your lifetime. Hence, the need for a landing net. If you haven’t purchased one of the new nets with clear plastic mesh, I strongly suggest that you do so, even though they can be pricey. Not only is it easier on the fish, but the more rigid plastic offers good underneath support. This makes it is easier to unhook your catch and frame a good photo without removing the fish from the net. The hook also cannot catch in the mesh like it often did with the older string-type nets. Speaking of photos,

As spawning time approaches, brook trout will attack brightly-colored streamers. This photo is of a brook trout redd with competing males. Lou Zambello photo

with today’s plethora of social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Flickr and Snapchat, it is easier than ever to share photos and videos of your exciting catch. Always take a smart phone, a good digital camera or the veryeasy-to- operate Go-Pro so you or your fishing companion can capture

the exciting moments of your catch of the year. Take it from me – it is fun to share photos and video during the long fly-fishing-less winter. I mentioned earlier my old tattered vest bulging with fly boxes. I carry my entire assortment of fly patterns in the fall, because one never knows (Continued on next page)

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Freshwater Fly Fishing (Continued from page 47)

what patterns are going to work. Salmon and trout are less predictable at this time of year, even to experienced anglers on familiar water. Why? Migrating Salmonids When larger trout or salmon first enter rivers in the fall, they have been primarily feeding over the last few months on smelt and other deep-water foods. Patterns that imitate smelt work well; either traditional patterns (such as the Kennebago Smelt, Black or Grey Ghosts, or the NineThree, just to name a few), or more modern creations such as soft-hackle marabou streamers, white Zonkers, and the newest articulated rabbit -fur creations. Large fish tend to stay near the bottom in deeper holes, so sometimes tungsten conehead patterns, along with sink- tip lines or fast-sink leaders, are necessary to reach the bottom.

Lakes and ponds also offer beautiful and productive fishing in September when trout move up into the shallows. Lindsey Rustad photo

After migratory fish have been in rivers and streams for a while, they start feeding on available food sources, which this time of year is usually really small stuff. Most of the insects emerging in September or later are small – tiny blue-winged olives, midges, ants, or the tiniest of nymphs. Successful imitative patterns include a collection of size 18 to 26 dries, emergers and nymphs. Often the larger fish are more comfortable feeding just under the surface, and emergers can be the

best option. Later in the season, as pre-spawn behavior commences, large salmonids get territorial and aggressive toward perceived rivals. Large streamers that feature attractor colors like red and orange for brookies, yellow for landlocked salmon, and yellow and brown for brown trout, can trigger aggressive attacks. Even large and gaudy dry flies such as size 6 Royal Wulffs and orange or yellow Kaufmann Stimulators work on the same impulse and can be effective

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Your columnist tying on yet another fly during a September trip. Notice bulging vest and multiple rods. Lou Zambello photo

fish-catchers. It requires a number of fly boxes to prepare for all of the aforementioned possibilities. But as I said, unpredictability is the rule, so you never really know what will work this time of year. Obscure Flies During the last few days of September last year, a deeply carved pool on the Kennebago River held a number of large brook trout that were sheltered in the shadows cast by a steep bank and a large log. Oh yes, they had been fished to by anglers preceding me, and all of us had thrown every fly pattern we had to no avail, including streamers, nymphs, dries, and at one point even a deerhair mouse. I was a little frustrated, and so I opened up and looked down into my least-used fly box of obscure patterns. There I noticed a small caddis pattern with a green foam body. Well, what the heck, nothing else had worked! My first few casts towards the log generated no reaction. In frustra-

tion, I started stripping the fly back so hard that the fly popped under the water, only to bob back to the surface because of the buoyant foam. Wham! Large trout. Next cast, same strip. Wham! Another large trout landed. And so it continued until five of the nicest trout of the season had been come to net. Why did this fly pattern and that retrieve work when nothing else did? I have no idea. I now have a nice row of green-foam caddis patterns in my primary fly box, but I will bet you that they won’t work again this autumn; it will be something else. That’s why my vest weighs so much at the end of the season. Because you never know what will mean the difference between success and failure. Maybe someday if I win the lottery, I can just hire a guy to accompany me in the fall and carry all of my gear. I will just carry one rod and a handful of flies; my assistant can carry the rest.

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�������������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2017 • 49

Life Gets Busier for MKVR Outdoor Folks This Month As September unfolds, options for outdoor enthusiasts expand dramatically, making life downright hectic for folks with diverse interests in the Mid-Kennebec Valley Region (MKVR). The month starts out with fishing for warm-water species dominating the action, along with limited bear hunting (as this region isn’t known as one of the most productive for pursuing bruins). As the month progresses, waterfowl and deer hunting become options, and fishing for salmonids can really heat up as well, especially if rains freshen local flowages before the month ends. Bass Action Bass fishing starts out good in September and tends to get even better by mid-month, as both smallmouth and largemouth bass really put on the feedbag throughout the area. The MKVR holds a tremendous number of excellent bass waters, including many smaller ponds that anglers might have completely to themselves on any given day after the popular Labor Day weekend. One such water is Nehumkeag Pond in Pittston (Delorme Atlas, Map 13, D-1). This 178-acre water contains 15-foot

depths that harbor excellent numbers of largemouth bass. Thanks to ideal habitat and abundant feed, anglers take a fair number of quality bucketmouths measured in pounds, not inches. The largemouths feed heavily on abundant shiners and yellow perch, plus get a big boost during the summer months as sea-run alewives spawn in the pond. The abundant young alewives supplement the forage base from June into September, at which point they begin their journey towards the Atlantic Ocean via Nehumkeag’s outlet and the Kennebec River. In addition to largemouth bass, chain pickerel and yellow perch provide fast action for folks who enjoy targeting those species. Their high populations make Nehumkeag a great place to bring young anglers, as most youngsters simply enjoy catching lots of fish, regardless of species. No formal boat launch exists on Nehumkeag, making small boats, canoes or kayaks the watercrafts of choice for anglers fishing here. Deer Hunting Most folks think of deer hunting as an October (archers) or No-

vember (firearms) hunt, but Maine offers many special zones in which archers can begin hunting in early September (starting on the 9th this year). Better yet, with the right permits in hand, hunters can take several whitetails, none of which count towards the 1-deer limit afforded by their regular hunting license. These special zones lie along the coast or around larger municipalities where the discharge of firearms is not allowed by local ordinances. Without the firearms hunt, whitetail populations soared dramatically in these areas at one time, so the special archery hunt – with the ability to take multiple deer – became a critical management tool to keep the whitetail populations in check. The MKVR is blessed with not just one, but two of these special archery zones. One lies in the greater Waterville area (Map 21, E-2), and the other in the greater Augusta region (Map 12, C-5). The zone around Waterville includes not only the vast majority of that city, but also parts of Oakland, Sidney, Winslow, Benton and Fairfield. The Augusta zone also includes portions of Farmingdale, Hallowell,

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September is the Busiest Month in Tom’s Region I vowed to do more trolling on Sebago Lake last fall (DeLorme Atlas, Map 5, C-1), and I spent many cool September evenings on the water. The togue cooperated, and I managed to snag a few each time out, resurrecting my enjoyment of early-autumn angling in this region. But with fishing and hunting opportunities as ample as any time of the year, it’s just plain hard to be a sportsman or -woman this month! Septembers past for this writer meant getting the gear ready for the upcoming upland, waterfowl and deer seasons. It meant working the dog extra hard in the

It’s a busy month -- fishing improves on Sebago, Thompson and Lake Auburn; the early Canada goose “nuisance season” gets underway with a generous daily limit; and bowhunters participate in the Expanded Archery season. cooler mornings and evenings. For my archery friends, the advent of the Expanded Season meant they had first crack at deer. Oh, how those were simpler times! Now we have more angling opportunities, a special goose season, bear trapping, crow season and much, much more. It’s a wonder any of us will be ready for deer season. In this region, salmon and togue angling comes on strong this month. The

water cools, turns and brings the game fish back closer to the surface. Local lakes are still under General Law (restrictions start up in October), and all methods that were legal in the spring at iceout remain lawful. Sebago Fraternity Sebago Lake sees a good fraternity of trollers on the water this month. This angler prefers to troll leadcore line and send down such offerings as the Mooselook Wobbler (anything with orange

works well), DB Smelt or Cecil’s Smelt. These tried-and-true lures have worked for decades on Sebago, so why argue with success? September trolling can be a mixed bag of salmon and lakers, but I find I catch more lakers. Downrigger fishermen may argue with me that they do better on salmon. I won’t take that bet; getting your line to the exact depth the fish are reading at is a very productive way to fish. Whichever

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your method, this is the month to be on the water. Thompson Lake To the north, Thompson Lake (Map 5, A-2) produces well this month, especially for abundant lakers. I enjoyed a fastpaced spring on Thompson Lake, so I predict salmon angling will be top-notch this month. The same techniques that you use on Sebago will work on Thompson Lake. I experimented with imitation smelt (Gulp Minnows) on the lake the past two years, and they work wonders, so they will be in my arsenal this month. Trolling the shoreline of Agassiz Village toward Potash Cove is prime fishing real estate on the lake. Lake Auburn Finally, Lake Auburn (Map 11, E-4) rounds out my September angling haunts. This past spring, I caught many small salmon, slim racers that had little fight. I expect this month will produce similar results. Togue, on the other hand, are growing big in this gem of a lake. Angler Rene Lavoie of Lewiston reported catches of 5-pound lakers this summer, so the big boys are out here. Cooler, oxygenated waters will hopefully draw these denizens of the deep toward the surface this month. Early Goosing For waterfowl enthusiasts, September brings on the early goose season. While the limits were not yet issued when I drafted (Continued on next page)

�������������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2017 • 51 (Continued from page 50)

this column, past years’ rules have allowed hunters 10 geese per day in the southern and coastal zones starting on September 1 (reduced to a daily limit of three in the October “regular” season). My Sebago Lake neighbor, Scott Hatch, has been battling with geese for several seasons. For some reason, they love his lush lawn and are content to drop their canine-sized calling cards all over the mowed grass. The September “nuisance season” was created for just this reason; landowners, golf courses and parks were inundated with big goose droppings. Chasing geese this month helps you do your part at keeping this big bird population in check. Deer Days Avid hunter Adam Farrington of Poland puts in plenty of time scouting and hunting deer, beginning with the September expanded archery season. Concentrating on the built-up portions of the Lewiston-Auburn Region, Adam does well at reducing the likelihood of a car-versus-deer accident for motorists, and he feeds his big family at the same time. Bow hunters can get into the action starting on September 9 this year in the expanded zones. This column covers the Portland region, encompassing parts or all of cities such as Portland, South Portland, Westbrook, Cumberland, Falmouth, North Yarmouth, Yarmouth, Scarborough and Windham. While some of these are rural and others urban, pockets of deer habitat abound in each, and the archer who scouts, secures permission and hunts hard will score. To the north, the Lewiston region includes some or all of Lewiston, Auburn, Hebron and Mi-

not. Assorted Quarry Hunters have other options, as well. Crow hunting in this region started on August 1 and runs through September 22. This is a great way to sharpen your wingshooting before waterfowl and upland season. Bear chasers can bait hunt through September 23, and dog hunters start on September 11. Not many bears are tagged from this region, but each

year there are a handful. A recent sighting of two black bears on Spring Road in Auburn was the talk of the town, but they do co-exist with us rather quietly most of the time. With this cornucopia of angling and hunting opportunity, it’s a wonder any of us will be ready for fall. Enjoy this turning of the season as we usher out warm weather and prepare for cooler days and nights.

Mid-Kennebec (Continued from page 49)

indeed! Despite the increased bag limits in place for decades in these zones, deer numbers remain high, so hunters can expect plenty of action. In fact, some dedicated trophy hunters use these zones as a means to put some quick meat in the freezer, thus taking the pressure off during the regular archery or firearms season and giving them that little bit of extra discipline needed to hold off for the trophy specimen they desire. Does that mean these zones don’t hold any big bucks themselves? Nope! Not the case at all, as these cities and towns do hold some true monsters, and a decent number of 200-pound bucks have been harvested in these zones over the years. One particular buck made a lasting memory for this writer. The mammoth whitetail was a gorgeous 230-pound, 10-point specimen we observed at a local deer butcher years ago. It was truly one of the best-looking deer we’ve ever seen anywhere in Maine, its body perfectly propor-

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This healthy doe has been hanging around camp on Sebago Lake and has been granted amnesty by the author. Photo by Tom Roth

tioned and sporting a heavy, wide and symmetrical rack. That big buck had been hit one night by a car as he chased does down Clinton Avenue in Winslow, a dense residential area! Deer numbers are up in both these zones. In fact, this past summer, it was a rare day that we didn’t make multiple sightings during our commutes to work across the Middle Road in Oakland, Route 104 in Waterville or the Webb and Trafton Roads that run between them. Numerous folks throughout these zones report similar abundance of sightings in their travels. Salmonid Fishing As water temperatures cool later in the month, fishing for trout and salmon picks up on MKVR lakes and ponds as the fish once again begin cruising closer to the surface and more often in shallower waters. And if a few rainy days lure the salmonids into inlets and outlets of local lakes and ponds, the fishing can be downright amazing. Should the rains come, anglers might check out Belgrade Stream in Mount Vernon (Map 12, A-4),

particularly in the vicinity of the Wings Mills Dam. Salmon, brook trout and brown trout all enter the stream this month as the annual spawning urges hit them. While actual spawning won’t occur until late October, the salmonids enter flowages weeks earlier, and Belgrade Stream is no exception. The fish will strike natural patterns, especially wet flies, this month, but they’re less interested in feeding than earlier in the year. The trout and salmon do become territorial, however, as they begin staking out potential spawning locations, so patterns that elicit aggressive response often prove effective. Some red or orange in the offering usually helps generate such strikes. The area of Belgrade Stream above the Wings Mills Dam falls under general law rules for brooks, streams and rivers, which means anglers this month can only use artificial lures or flies and can only keep one salmonid. A special rule below the dam downstream to the Route 27 bridge in Belgrade does permit more liberal angling methods, including the use of bait.

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52 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��������������������������������������������������

Obtaining Landowner Permission for Expanded Archery Season September is one of my favorite months, and here we are. My summer’s honey-do list is finished, and now I can hunt. Yes, September 9th marks opening day of the Expanded Season in Maine for us bowhunters. That Saturday morning each year is like every other for the vast majority of Mainers, but little do they know there will be a small band of camouflaged men and women slipping into the woods with bows in hand around 6 a.m. These folks represent the first of Maine’s deer hunters each year, and by the time regular bow season rolls around, many of Maine’s monster whitetails will have fallen. I hunt more during the Expanded Season than in the regular bow season, for one simple reason: that is, I like to gun-hunt and track large whitetails in November, and if I shoot a deer during regular bow season in a non-Expanded area, my entire season is over. So my regular bow season is relegated to still-hunting while I scout for big deer. Usually by this time, I’ve shot a deer or two during Expanded Season, so my mantra in October is let everything go unless it’s a giant. The Difficulty I’ve shared this thought-process with folks over the years, and one consistent question I get is: “How do you obtain permission to hunt private land during the Expanded Season?” Considering Expanded areas are situated in urban, suburban or coastal arwww.MaineSportsman.com

How do I obtain landowner permission to hunt during the Expanded Season? First, I never wear camouflage, but rather, pressed pants and a buttoned-down shirt. I always comb my hair, and I’m clean-shaven. The main thing for me is to not look like a hunter, when in fact I’m asking permission to do just that.

The author offers many practical tips for achieving success when asking landowners for permission to place a tree stand on their land.

eas of the state, and considering the increasing amount of “No Trespassing” and “Access by Permission Only” signs everywhere, the question is a good one. The ironic answer to it, however, is that I’ve found it much easier than difficult to receive permission to hunt on people’s property, despite a liberal trending population in these areas. These “Don’t Go On My Property” signs are increasing, but I’ve found it’s still quite easy to obtain access to enough properties to hunt on. Many owners simply post to keep track of who’s on their property. That said, over the

years I’ve developed a few practices that I share below, and by all means, they could work well for gun hunters too. But generally speaking, folks can’t gun hunt in Expanded archery areas, and it’s been my experience the liberal population—or perhaps the nonhunting population—is more open to having bowhunters on their properties versus gun hunters. But getting permission is like hunting—there are things folks can do that increase the chances of getting the “yes” instead of a “no.” Choose the Right Day After looking at satellite and topo maps to determine where I want to hunt, I find the land-

owner’s last name, which nowadays I do through “onXmaps,” a remarkable GPS/computer application that lists most property owners in Maine by name. With this information in hand, the first thing I ALWAYS do when approaching a land owner is choose a beautiful, warm sunny day that’s not too humid—the type of day when everyone is in a good mood. I call this my “wife gauge.” She won’t be happy when she reads this, but it’s true. She’s a wonderful woman, but I dread the late March day after a long winter when the weatherman says it’s gonna snow 8 inches, or be a

cold, wind-driven rainy day—all day—turning the low area of our property into a muddy mess. Bottom line is this: everyone is in a better mood when the weather is beautiful, so if folks want to increase their chances of getting permission to hunt on private land, only ask for it on a nice day. Looks Can Kill I don’t care what anyone says— people make judgments on first look, and that starts with what you drive. I drive an old GMC pickup, but I always pull into a potential property in my wife’s car, which is newer, cleaner and a much nicer vehicle. It has no hunting decals or political bumper stickers, and it makes folks think I take care of what I own, thus I will probably do the same of their property. As far as clothes, I never wear camouflage, but rather, pressed pants and a buttoned-down shirt. I always comb my hair and am clean-shaven when approaching a new landowner. The main thing for me is to not look like a hunter, when I’m asking permission to do just that. And I never wear a cap unless I’m looking for permission to hunt a farm. Mischievously, if I am asking a farmer for permission, I’ll see what type of tractor he or she has and wear a hat with his or her tractor’s manufacturer name. Thus, I have John Deere, Kubota and Mahindra hats in my closet which I literally never wear unless it’s for (Continued on page 55)

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Hit Lake St. George in September for a Chance at Wallhanger Salmon The author reveals where and how to locate and land trophy salmon on St. George Lake in Liberty. Lake St. George in Liberty has a history of producing trophy-size salmon. Even non-trophy fish, those in the 3-4 pound range, are enough to draw anglers to this ice-cold, spring-fed lake. Besides that, it’s a sure thing that a good number of anglers have never caught a 4-pound salmon. So for them, that ranks as a real trophy. Trophies, I say, are in the mind of the beholder. September stands out as a fine time to troll St. George for its wonderful, fat and colorful salmon. Now, with ideal temperatures and a touch of color on leaves of hardwood trees, salmon are perfectly willing to come close to the surface to smash a trolled lure, streamer or frozen smelt. But this renowned lake was never an easy nut to crack. It still isn’t. Every once in a while anglers find willing salmon on those perfect days. But most of the time we must work for our piscatorial reward. However, this shouldn’t serve as a deterrent, especially with the trophy-salmon potential being so great. The old maxim that you must really know a lake before you can take full advantage of its maximum potential stands true at Lake St. George. But fortunately, even those who have never fished here can, after reading this column, hit the water with an assurance that they are

doing everything right. Some Specifics The section of the lake bounded by Route 3, where the boat landing lies, is well worth working hard in spring. April and early May see lots of salmon coming from this easily-reached section of lake. But come mid- to late-May, salmon migrate to the lower basin, particularly that part of lake just off the southern tip of Millstone Island. A look at the DeLorme Atlas, Map 13, B-5 will put everything in the proper perspective. Picture in your mind, if you will, a bowl, with a deep center and curving sides. That’s a perfect representation of the water off the south end of Millstone Island. Depending on water temperature, salmon will hang somewhere along the curvature of that figurative bowl. A fish locator is handy but not mandatory. I began fishing here before the advent of these digital tools, and by a poke-and-hope method, found dependable salmon hangouts. But now, things are so much easier. A caveat stands in place here. Lots of medium-sized fish stacked up in 30-40 feet of water most likely are brook trout. And while carryover stocked trout reach 16-17 inches, we’re talking salmon here. Brookies, then, are just a bonus. So if you are intent upon salmon, forego

spending time on these fish, and continue on your quest for a wallhanger salmon. Best Times For those who like sleeping late in the morning, Lake St. George poses a problem. Daybreak sees the best fishing here. I still enjoy a mental picture of a man in a small boat with a big salmon jumping on the end of his line. The sun, a blazing red disc, was just above the horizon. The guy landed his salmon and left, no doubt very happy. Shortly thereafter, I hooked and landed a 3-pound fish, and I, too, called it quits for the day. But don’t despair, since late evening offers another chance for fast action. Those last fleeting minutes between dusk and darkness can produce the best fishing of the day. Those who hit the water in mid-afternoon and leave after two or three hours are doing themselves a disservice. Better to launch so that you can be at the appointed spot just ahead of sundown. None of this means that salmon won’t bite at any time of the day. Indeed, I have had smashing luck in midmorning and even in early afternoon. But for dependable action, try early morning and late evening. And in September, especially if nighttime temperatures are in the low 40s and even high 30s,

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife biologists took this hook-jawed male salmon during fall trapnetting at St. George Lake.

salmon can go on the feed any time. And on cool, lowery days, fish act as if it’s springtime, by which I mean that they will take a trolled streamer fly or slowly-worked Mooselook Wobbler. And even if it’s a bright, fairly warm day, don’t discount this lake. Go anyway and just maybe, you will find the salmon of your dreams. Salmon Gear In my later years I’ve become quite fond of single-hook streamers. For the most part, they have served me well. Wood Special, Joe’s Smelt, Gray Ghost, Pink Lady, Warden’s Worry, Colonel Bates and all the other old favorites continue to take salmon. But at St. George, salmon take both single-hook and tandem streamers with an equal degree of

enthusiasm. So if you hit the lake early, try your favorite streamer on a 15-foot leader trolled on a sinking fly line. And by all means troll fast. Don’t dawdle. By midmorning, fish will slowly seek deeper water. Small, single-hook streamers, though, still work fine then, but you need to fish them behind a dodger. My favorite, a chrome, 00 (doubleought) dodger, will do the trick. If you still wish to use a fly rod and sinking line, the dodger’s weight will help to get your offering down where you want it. And, of course, the slower you go the deeper your offering will fish. Which brings up the question of how far back from the dodger your streamer needs to ride. For a bare, single-hook (Continued on page 55) www.MaineSportsman.com

54 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��������������������������������������������������

Game Cameras, Decoys Improve Chances for Trophy Moose Success For most hunters, there is no greater thrill than seeing your name listed among the fortunate few who each year are randomly selected for a moose hunting tag. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been drawn twice as a primary hunter, harvesting a cow moose in 2004 and a large bull moose in 2015. I also had the pleasure of serving as subpermittee with my Dad, guiding him to shoot his bull moose in 2012. Hunting moose is not a task to be taken lightly. Extensive preparations must be taken to prepare

The “plot camera” mode will snap photos of a clearing or pond at set intervals, without an animal having to be close enough to trigger the motion sensor. And remote monitoring allows a smartphone user anywhere in the world to view the photos being taken by the camera in the woods! for a successful harvest. Through the years, I have passed on several secrets to success that I have learned. Here are additional tips to help ensure hunters don’t go home empty handed this moose season. Game Cameras – Not Just for Deer It amazes me how many hunters employ

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game cameras to track bear and deer movements, but when it comes to pursuing moose many seem to completely forget this valuable tool. Instead, a vast majority of hunters prefer to ride dirt roads and monitor clear cuts, watching and waiting for that moose to arrive. While this type of hunting is sometimes productive, often times it is not, and the moose simply doesn’t show. Moose populations over the last several years have grown smaller and smaller in number, and these days finding that shooter animal often requires getting off those well-traveled logging roads. Instead of driving

and wishing, hunters can vastly increase their chances of success by employing the use of game cameras before and during the season to track and monitor moose movements. Just like deer, moose are creatures of habit and maintain a relatively small core travel area. By using game cameras, hunters can identify these core areas and estimate the times of day the moose are moving through. Once this data is gathered, a hunting plan can be organized to harvest the animal. Combine Camera with Attractants While cameras can be placed in high traf-

fic areas, such as pinch points, game trails and old logging roads, hunters can also bring moose to cameras by using attractants. Placing sexual scents like cow-in-heat is a great way to put moose in viewing distance of the camera. I prefer to take old socks (washed in no-scent detergent, of course!), cut them into strips and then tie them as high as I can reach into tree branches. This I then soak with “cow in heat” urine. By placing the rags up high instead of on the ground, the scent is widely dispersed in even the smallest amount of wind, completely permeating the entire area. Plot Camera Mode An often-underused function on game cameras that works really well for moose hunting is the “plot camera” mode. While different game (Continued on next page)

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camera companies have different words to describe this mode, they all function in basically the same way. Say a hunter wants to monitor an entire small pond, open bog or clearcut for moose movement. Typically, unless the animal walks in front of the game camera at a distance of less than 30 yards, the camera will not take a photograph. In plot camera mode, however, the camera is set to automatically snap photos in various intervals from 5 to 30 minutes apart during the last hours of daylight and first light of the morning when moose are most active. By setting the camera back from these areas and 10 to12 feet up in a tree, the hunter can monitor a sizeable amount of acreage. To assist hunters in placing the camera high in a suitable tree, consider carrying around a couple of ladder climbing sticks. Having these available really

simplifies camera placement and checking. Remote Access An interesting product that recently arrived on the game camera market is remote monitoring. Remote monitoring allows a hunter’s game camera to send pictures to his/her smartphone from anywhere in the world with a cellular signal. For the moose hunter, this means you can set up a game camera to take photos of a clearcut in Van Buren and monitor it from Kittery or even outside of the state! Hide the Camera from Thieves Just remember to hide your cameras, because unfortunately game cameras are a favorite target of thieves. Game cameras can be disguised using camouflage or natural cover. Hiding game cameras from thieves is a relatively easy task, accomplished by simply gluing bark or tying on camouflage fabric to break up their outline.

Bowhunting (Continued from page 52)

this purpose. Go At It Alone Another thing I’ve noticed through trial and error is not to bring other people along. Folks feel less threatened when only one person approaches them at their home, and it seems rude when one person approaches and the other stays in the vehicle. I’ve noticed this myself at my home if/ when solicitors come to my house. Also, go

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streamer, 12-18 inches or even less is just about right. That way, the wobbling action of the dodger will impart a great degree of action to the fly. But if you want to enhance your chances of a strike and use “fly bait,” then make the distance at least 24 inches. The reason is the closer to the dodger, the more the action. But if using fly bait, the whipping around from being too close to the dodger will throw the bait off.

The number one way cameras are often identified in the woods is by individuals noticing the horizontal black strap that wraps around the tree to secure the game camera. This visual clue can be eliminated by using the screw-in mounts that are widely available online or sold at your local Wal-Mart. Simple Decoys My last bit of advice for those heading afield this season in pursuit of moose is to employ the use of a moose decoy. Having a decoy on hand simply helps to add a small bit of additional realism to calling and the placing of sexual scents. A decoy need not be complicated, since moose have relatively poor vision. A cut-out made from cardboard and spray painted black works great, but hunters can use something as simple as a black bed sheet suspended between two poles with heavy string. Moose hunters heading Down East to Wildlife Management District

The author, Maine guide Steve Vose, recommends that moose permit winners use a mix of modern technology and time-honored tactics get their trophy this season.

(WMD) 19 will be well served to explore the vast network of logging roads around Little Musquash Lake (Delorme’s Atlas Map 35, D-4), West and East Monroe Ponds (Map 35, D-4) and Musquash Stream (Map 35, C-5). Moose can frequently be found patrolling these shallow ponds during early mornings and late evenings, dipping their heads under the water to

alone for the simple fact that people don’t like groups of hunters. If you hunt alone, approach the landowner alone. In the End I always bring a topo and an aerial map with me to show the owners where I’d like to put a stand if they’re interested in knowing. Generally, folks are quite fascinated in how and why I choose my stand location, and everyone likes looking at maps of their properties. More often than not, I can teach them something they may not know about their own land. In the end, I always shake hands with And what is “fly bait,” you might ask? Well, I first heard the term employed while fishing West Grand Lake many years ago. Simply put, just find a shiner or other legal baitfish that is slightly shorter than the fly and hook the bait just behind both lips. This doesn’t damage the bait in the least and if you fish all day without a strike (something that isn’t likely to happen) you can carefully remove the baitfish from the fly and drop it back in the bait bucket unharmed. Most of my life trolling Lake St. George saw me using lead-core line. I still set out

uproot their favorite food, the common water lily. These salt-rich plants are a moose favorite. Hunters finding small ponds filled with these treats would be well served to stake out these spots during dusk and dawn. Good luck to the lucky few who scored a moose tag this season – I wish you all the best!

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everyone, irrespective of whether I get permission. I also look them in the eye and thank them for their time and do so sincerely. And of course, I offer meat! Lastly, I think readers of this article who don’t have anywhere to bowhunt in Expanded Zones, may be surprised just how easy it is to get permission. I pulled into one posted driveway a few years back, asked the landowner if I could bowhunt, and his response was, “Please do, these deer drive me crazy!” So just ask, because the worst you can hear is “No.”

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a lead-core as a second rod, but most of my fish now come from a rod fished off of a downrigger. Of the two, a downrigger allows for more precise placement of lure or bait. Final Thoughts Don’t forget, too, that wobbling lures work fine here. D&B Smelt, Chev Chase and the various Mooselook Wobblers all take their share of salmon. Lake St. George has great potential and it is worth fishing every chance you get. And after all, isn’t that what fishing is all about?

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Fins and Fur Dominate September Activities in Hancock Couny Hancock County anglers are showing renewed interest in hooking into a 4-pound bass, a few perch, or a summer-fattened lake trout this month. Some top-quality fishing action can be found by referring to DeLorme’s Atlas, Maps 23 and 24. One favorite gamefish water in our district is Beech Hill Pond (Map 23, C-1). This pond contains more than 1,350 acres of lake trout habitat. Most of the late-summer togue are caught in water depths up to 100 feet, near the center of the pond. Beech Hill gives up several lakers that push the scales into double digits each year. Regulations require that lake trout caught from Beech Hill Pond between 23 and 33 inches in length be released alive at once; however, there is no bag limit or length limit on togue under 23 inches. One laker over 33 inches may be kept as part of a daily limit. According to information provided by two of my Bucksport fishing buddies, anglers have had respectable lake-trout fishing so far this summer. One of these fisherman also mentioned that he had experienced decent fishing for salmon, white perch and pickerel. There is a boat-launching facility located off Route 180 between Ellsworth and Bangor. Go north on Route 180 and follow signs toward the Green Lake Fish Hatchery. After approximately 3 miles, turn left onto the Gary Moore Road for 100 yards, take your first right, and follow this road to the private boat www.MaineSportsman.com

launch. Warm- Water Action Smallmouth bass and white perch fishing can also produce exciting fall results. As September’s temperatures cool off, bass and perch action heats up. Fish become more active as the cooler weather lowers water temperatures. Many of these waters yield bronzebacks in the 2- to 4-pound range and white perch in the 8- to 12-inch range. Anglers often hook plump bass, hefty white perch and lengthy pickerel on artificial lures or live bait. One prime bass producer is Graham Lake in the Mariaville-Ellsworth Region (Map 24, C-1). According to Graham Lake resident Ron Parent, Graham offers excellent smallmouth bass fishing for September anglers. Ron mentioned that he has caught smallmouths in the 3-to 5-pound category. This water contains 7,865 acres of water and has a maximum depth of 47 feet. Bass anglers often use live bait, bass plugs or bass lures to entice smallmouths, many in the 2- to 3-pound range. Fishing near the small islands produces most of the action this month. Another bass hot spot, according to angler Mike Cummings of Bucksport, is found on the northern part of the lake near Woods Island. The floating-heath areas, scattered around the lake, also hold some hefty-sized bass. The central part of the lake harbors the largest bass numbers and also the best habitat to catch

white perch. Here, the deeper water contains an abundant population of white perch. Anglers often use worms as bait to catch perch in the 8- to 12-inch range. Access to Graham Lake can be gained by choosing among three boat-launching facilities. The most-popular access is reached by going north approximately four miles from Ellsworth on Route 180. The boat launch is on the right, at the southern end of Graham Lake. Another boat landing is located at Fletchers Landing, approximately four miles from Ellsworth Falls on Route 179. Fewer Bears? Bear hunting dates have been established for the 2017 season. According to Maine bear biologist Jennifer Vashon, a general bear season will run from the end of August through deer season in November. Bear hounds can be used in September and October. Hunters may also take bear during the regular deer hunting seasons without the use of hounds or bait. Biologist Vashon predicts that there may be another low harvest for bear this year. This year’s hunt, according to other bear-hunting experts, may not exceed an annual statewide harvest of 2,800 bear tagged. Bear-baiter may hunt from August 26 through September 23. Early-season hunters, using bait, harvest over 70% of the bear tagged annually. Hancock County statistics show a low harvest, with only 171 bears tagged in 2015. The Greater Penob-

Man-made, relatively-shallow and stump-filled, Graham Lake (in center of satellite photo), in the Mariaville/Ellsworth region, offers excellent warm-water fishing opportunities for lunker smallmouth and numerous white perch. Image courtesy LakesOfMaine.org

scot Bay Area has numerous bear-hunting habitats. Several local bear-baiters put out bait in the North Orland area, where bears are feeding on berries. The hilly terrain near Bald Mountain and Big Hill (Map 23, D-4) are also excellent locations to set out bait. Archery Time A third exciting September possibility for sports in the Greater Penobscot Bay Region is bow hunting for deer. Weather conditions last winter didn’t seem to have a negative impact on deer populations. In fact, I have seen more does with fawns this year than in previous years, we well as several healthy velvet-antlered

bucks. Most of the deer I have encountered on my travels are in Bucksport’s Expanded-Archery Zone (Map 23, E-2) or in Castine’s Expanded-Archery Zone, (Map 15, B-2). Refer to Maine’s hunting regulations for more precise details on towns with an expanded-archery season. Hunters who have a valid archery license will be able to purchase multiple antlerless deer permits for $12 each, and one expanded-archery antlered permit for $32. Bow hunters might also select some of the high-density deer terrain found in expanded archery towns in WMD 23 to improve their chances for success.

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Alyssa’s Guide to Moose Hunting 1) Moose Lottery System Each year, thousands of people from the State of Maine and many other states enter the moose lottery hoping to get a permit for the upcoming moose hunting season. This year’s moose lottery has already been conducted, and the state issued about 2,080 moose permits. Last year’s total harvest rate was 1,609 moose killed. To have a chance at being drawn for a permit, you must enter the moose lottery, and you can build up bonus points over the years as long as you are not drawn or do not skip a year on entering. If you do get picked, you must wait 3 years until you can apply for a permit again, but you can still get bonus points. Another way to have a chance at a moose permit is through the Moose Permit Auction. People can submit bids to the state up to the dateline, in the hopes that their bid is higher than anyone else’s. There are only 10 permits available during the auction each year. Last year’s average winning moose bid for the auction was $13,516.50. 2) Preparation for the hunt If you are selected for a moose hunt, there are a lot of things you need to prepare for. You need to learn the area of your zone, and prior to your hunting week you will hopefully have a chance to scout out where you will be hunting. You will also have to get all your hunt-

When the author went on her moose hunt in 2012, she scouted around the day before and found some fresh sign, and then used calls to attract the moose. Her approach was successful, and she recommends the method to other hunters.

Alyssa Sansoucy’s 2012 bull moose.

ing equipment and gear ready and packed beforehand. Along with hunting gear, you should plan for a week’s worth of other necessities such as clothes, food and drink. You also need to figure out where you will be staying, and whether or not you will be hiring a guide. It is very important to make these decisions sooner rather than later, so you know you are guaranteed a place to stay for the week and guide service if you wish to have that. As the hunt gets closer you also want to make sure you get your moose permit in the mail and have all the proper paperwork to go with it, such as your hunting license.

Finally, you want to choose the proper gun caliber for hunting moose, since they are Maine’s biggest game animal. The gun you use to hunt deer may not be what you want to use for moose, because they are such a big animal. If you do have to use a different gun than what you are used to, make sure you are comfortable shooting it and is sighted in. You don’t want to miss an opportunity that may never happen again because of a gun malfunction. 3) The Hunt Prior to the week of your hunt, hopefully you have learned the area and scouted around to find fresh moose sign. Moose hunting is like deer hunt-

ing in some ways, but it can actually be more difficult to locate moose. They have become wiser over the years and less likely to be found on dirt roads or out in the open. There are many hunting techniques to get a moose. A few of them are water hunts, walking and stalking, setting up a ground blind, hunting from a tree stand or driving around using calls and looking for moose sign. When I went on my moose hunt in 2012, we used the method of scouting around a day before and found some fresh sign and used calls. I would use this method again if I ever got another chance at a moose, and would definitely recom-

mend this method to other hunters. Once you have found a moose, either by calling, walking or canoeing, it is important to be patient so you can get a good, clean kill shot. 4) Once the Animal is Down It is important to clean and gut the animal as soon as possible to prevent drawing predators such as bears to your moose. Depending on how far the moose is from the vehicle, you can either keep it whole and use a winch, ATV or sled to drag it out, or you can cut it up and pack it out. The process of getting the moose out of the woods can take hours, especially if you don’t have the right equipment or don’t have a lot of people to help you. Once you have the moose at the vehicle and on the trailer it is important that you get it to the tagging station within 18 hours of the kill. Once that is done, you want to be sure to pack the moose it with ice and get it cut up within a couple of days, so the meat doesn’t spoil. ***** Moose hunting is fun. I hope every hunter who puts in for it gets an opportunity to hunt these magnificent creatures. Good luck to all the hunters who have a permit for this year, and hopefully the success rate is higher than ever! For more information on moose hunting and laws, go to www.maine. gov/ifw/index.html

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How to Build Your Own Trout Pond Who among us can resist the lure of a trout pond? Having a small pond filled with trout, watching them splash as they slam floating trout pellets, and even catching an occasional one for dinner, are widely-held dreams. Earlier this summer, Maine Sportsman editor Will Lund asked if I were

willing to attend a pond construction workshop held by the Piscataquis County Soil & Water Conservation District in Dover Foxcroft. Will mentioned that a number of readers had posed questions regarding the mechanics of building a pond. I attended the workshop, and in this column

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I will cover the basics of siting a pond, designing its shape and structure, and selecting and caring for the fish. Pond Placement The first item to consider when planning a pond is where to build it. Certain areas are better than others, in that soils differ greatly in their abilities to hold water. One way to find out what kind of soil you have is to contact your local soil and water conservation district. They can help you acquire soil-type charts. Also, you can go to online to United States Department of Agriculture

(USDA), and view their web soil surveys. While ponds will work in many different soils, sandy or gravelly soil usually will suffice, but clay or silty soil is far better. An ideal site has lots of clay. The USDA recommends using a soil auger. Drill down to the depth that you consider will become the bottom of the pond. If the last few feet show sandy soil, then don’t dig the pond down that far. But if the proposed deepest section lies in clay soil, that means the pond will have no problem holding water. Permit Needed?

Next, check whether or not you will need a permit from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). For an upland (not near any streams or wetlands, totally in upland habitat) pond of less than one acre, no permit is needed. However, for ponds in or near protected natural resources, a permit is required. Protected natural resources include streams and wetlands. If your proposed site is closer than 25 feet to a protected natural resource, then you will need to apply for a permit before building your pond. One common per(Continued on next page)

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mit, called a “permit by rule,” requires filling out a simple form and paying a $75 fee. With the necessary permits in hand, or without a permit if your pond is less than one acre and in an upland habitat, it’s time to decide what type of pond you want. Pond Types There are two types of ponds – embankment ponds, and excavated ponds. Of the two, embankment ponds, built by scraping soil away with bulldozers, are usually more expensive to build and are generally much larger than excavated ponds. These kinds of ponds need highly-sophisticated dams, and dams are expensive to build. If not constructed properly, dams can wash away. An embankment pond requires a heavy monetary investment in terms of planning, design

and construction. So for purposes of this article, we’ll consider that most people are more interested in excavated ponds. These are made by removing soil with an excavator. This soil is then trucked away to an approved disposal site. Most small ponds are of this type. Excavated ponds are the least expensive to build. A pond of sufficient size to hold trout can cost under $1,000. However, it is wise to dig only a small test pit at first to see if it holds water. If it quickly fills and the water does not leach out, then it’s safe to proceed with the final excavation.

will have consistently cold water, something important to maintaining trout. When digging out a pond, it may be tempting to go down as deeply as possible. However, sometimes this urge for great depth works against us. For instance, an 8-foot deep pond in good clay soil will hold water and keep trout alive even during dry conditions. But going deeper in some situations can result in going down past the good clay or silt soil, and tapping into a porous type of soil. If that happens, the pond will become a dry hole. Exercise caution, then, and don’t go deeper than necessary.

What’s the Water Source? The quality of a pond is not necessarily dictated by its depth. If the pond is tapped into the water table – that is, if it incorporates a spring – then as little as 8 feet will work fine. This kind of pond

Shape and Structure Give some thought to the shape of the pond. A perfectly round pond will function the same as any other pond, but an irregularly-shaped pond may provide more in aesthetic value. Also, an island may add visual appeal.

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Trout taking floating food pellets on the surface of the author’s small pond. Seymour photo

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North Maine Woods — Maine’s Best Idea Early-morning fog obscured much of the view from our canoe as we floated silently along the narrow confines of the Cupsuptic River. My client for the 2016 October moose hunt sat in the bow seat. In the stern, I slowly stirred the tannin-stained water with my paddle as the canoe poked around the inside corners of the tiny waterway. I was a very worried Maine Guide. It was Wednesday of moose week and we had not yet seen one of the big animals. My clients had traveled from New York State for an off-road hunt for Maine’s largest mammal. However, my usual canoe-hunting methods were not working well here in my own backyard of western Maine. My client’s bull permit was for Zone 7, the Rangeley area and north to Coburn Gore. The Magalloway, Cupsuptic and Kennebago are wonderful trout streams, but their low volume made for marginal canoeing – a situation made much worse

Through the nonprofit organization known as the North Maine Woods, the public has access to 3-½ million acres of privately-owned forests, lakes and streams. Where else can that claim be made? And all for a $10 daily entrance fee – just a buck more than Maine’s minimum hourly wage.

The Allagash Waterway was the scene of this successful canoe-based moose hunt in 2013. Andrews photo

by the drought that had plagued western Maine since mid-summer. Even more frustrating were the large, private gated areas that prevented access to the most remote sections of the rivers. We were re-

duced to leap-frogging from one short navigable stretch of river to another – wasting valuable time on shuttling vehicles and gear instead of hunting. The big lakes in Zone 7 held promising moose habitat, but they were

peppered with camps along their shores. This not only ruined the ambiance of canoe hunting, but by law each residence represented a 300’ diameter circle where no shooting without permission could occur.

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I felt crowded and hemmed in. I yearned to be on the Allagash or the St. John instead of these smaller streams. I wished I was in the North Maine Woods. A Bold Idea Fifty years ago, 19 large-scale, private landowners in northern Maine banded together to create the North Maine Woods (NMW) organizations. It was a bold idea that has never been replicated on a similar scale in the United States. The non-profit organization grew to include more than 3 million acres of industrial forestland – stretching from Katahdin Iron Works to Allagash Village. From the very start, the purpose was to manage the public recreational use of this vast resource in concert with timber production. The landowners standardized their visitor policies across their combined acreage. And in exchange for user fees paid by visitors, guides, and camp owners, they worked to provide high-quality rec(Continued on next page)

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reational opportunities. It All Began with Roads After the decline of the river log drive as a means of transporting timber, the road system began to expand rapidly in northern Maine. Landowners and mill owners cooperated in building and maintaining major roads that stretched across multiple ownerships. Meanwhile, sportsmen quickly realized that the new road system opened incredible opportunities for hunting, fishing, and camping. NMW stepped in to manage the recreational use. The natural result was that plenty of roadside campsites were created and maintained by NMW. But the roads also provide jumping-off spots for non-motorized adventure on 3.5 million acres of pure Maine paradise. The entire Allagash Wilderness Waterway lies within the NMW boundary, as well as the famous headwaters of the St. John River. Countless lakes, rivers and huge tracts of road-less terrain tempt the self-propelled types.

In the summer of 2012, I made a long self-propelled trip from Kittery to Fort Kent. On August 14 of that year, I left the pavement of the Elliotsville Road near Monson. On September 2nd, almost three weeks and more than 150 miles later, I touched pavement for the first time again in Allagash Village. Northern Maine is perhaps the only place in the eastern US where this is possible. Large-Scale Backcountry The essential point is that NMW created, and now preserves, largescale backcountry areas big enough for extended non-motorized trips. There are no privately-gated, members-only leases. There are no offroad vehicles allowed. The vast size of the total acreage guarantees that there will continue to be remote places for those who choose to paddle, ski, walk or snowshoe for their recreation. Sure, it’s not all pretty like a national park and it’s not a wilderness by anyone’s definition. In a working forest, we pull aside for logging trucks instead of scenic over-

Moosehead (Continued from page 59)

the water cannot stratify. That is, the water, instead of being coldest near bottom, will tend to be the same temperature throughout. And trout can only tolerate a maximum temperature of about 70 degrees F. The Fish Most people stock either brook trout or rainbow trout. In many areas of Maine, rainbow trout are not allowed in farm ponds located within a certain distance of an official Atlantic salmon river. Your local soil and water conservation district can provide information regarding type of trout for your area. However, rainbow trout grow faster than brook trout and can tolerate slightly warmer water. The choice, then, depends upon whether or not rainbow trout are legal in your pond, and also upon your personal preference. Some pond owners stock both kinds of trout in their ponds. People wonder how many trout to put in

The North Maine Woods comprises an area about the size of the entire state of Connecticut. Graphic courtesy North Maine Woods.

looks. And we settle for a patchwork quilt of regenerating trees instead of tall stands of virgin timber. We also must accept that we are guests, not collective owners. B u t we have public access to three and a half million acres of privately-owned wildland! Where else can that claim be made? And all for the price of a daily fee that is still calculated in terms of an hour’s pay at minimum wage. Fifty Years Fifty years is long enough that an institution like NMW can become a part of the psyche of a state. A long tradi-

The Allagash, part of the North Maine Woods, will provide opportunities for self-propelled sportsmen in perpetuity. Andrews photo

tion of generous public access to vast regions of private property can dull the appetite for acquisition of public lands. It can generate feelings of complacency among fishermen and hunters who are unaware of the private leasing necessary to enjoy those sports in other states. But a moose hunt in one of the southern zones or a fishing trip to any part of southern Maine can quickly remind us that NMW is both a unique and precarious gift. Stitching together public lands for long-distance, self-propelled

their pond. I asked if there was a set formula of fish per acre and was told that it mostly depends upon trial and error. In other words, it depends upon the pond. A spring-fed pond can hold more trout than a pond that depends on a regular inflow of rainwater. To Feed, or Not to Feed? Whether to feed or not is another question. In a larger pond with only a few trout, natural food sources will suffice. But for those wanting the best growth potential, feeding makes great sense. Even smaller ponds can sustain more trout if they are fed each day. There are two kinds of feed – floating and sinking. Sinking feed, if not immediately gobbled up by the trout, will sink to bottom and if not picked up in a day or so, will begin to swell and rot. Floating feed, when meted out carefully, gives the pond owner a good idea of how much feed trout can consume at one feeding. Besides that, watching trout jump and

trips, if you are traveling anywhere south of the old Canadian Pacific rail line, is a tiresome process. Our 2016 moose hunt in Zone 7 turned out to be a successful one. M y client bagged a nice bull on Saturday – much to my relief. But the Allagash calls, and our next moose hunt will be somewhere on the 3.5 million acres we have access to in northern Maine. For more information on NMW, please check on line at www.northmainewoods.org, or call 207435-6213.

¶

splash for floating pellets is a rewarding pastime. And here’s a hint for anglers about to head out trout fishing at their local lake – using your pond, you can accurately gauge whether or not trout in larger lakes and natural ponds will bite on any given day. If the fish in your pond refuse to take pellets in the morning, then trout in wild settings will probably act stand-offish as well. Having a trout pond can impact your insurance rates. Some companies reward pond owners, because they have provided a water source to assist firefighters. Other companies, however, consider any pond or pool to be a hazard. Check with your insurer beforehand to avoid a surprise. The Piscataquis County Soil & Water Conservation District address is 42 Engdahl Drive in Dover-Foxcroft; their phone number is (207) 564-2321, and their email address is info@piscataquisswcd.org.

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www.MaineSportsman.com

62 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��������������������������������������������������

A Nice Surprise —

Winchester Model 290 .22 Rimfire Has Columnist Reconsidering View of Auto-Loaders After 12 years, regular readers of “The Shooter’s Bench” know semi-automatic sporting firearms receive little favor in this column. Often cumbersome and complicated, many of these firearms are difficult to disassemble and tricky to reassemble. At their worst, a semi-automatic rifle or shotgun may embolden a shooter to take an extra shot that good judgment would caution against. Having the option of firing that third shot shell or fourth rifle cartridge is often no boon to marksmanship or sportsmanship. I admit that a semi-automatic action can tame recoil for those who fire large numbers of rounds, or who are sensitive to the effects of shoulder-pounding. Also, with recent developments, most semi-autos prove far more reliable than their ancestors. Semi-automatic shotguns now dominate the market for turkey hunters and waterfowlers. Manufacturers offer far fewer models of semi-automatic rifles, except in the wildly-popular world of the AR-15 and other similar type center-fire rifles.

“Stylish” is a word that fits the Winchester 290 well, with its hardwood stock, checkering and a gold trigger. I am looking forward to employing it on the marauding neighborhood woodchuck or the pesky, tree-girdling porcupine.

Winchester’s Model 290 rimfire rifle may date from the Age of Aquarius, but the Colonel says it still makes a fine shooter. Allard photo

Despite the technological advances and soaring popularity, semi-auto rifles and shotguns still do not generate much interest here. The dominant opinion around “The Shooter’s Bench” holds that a semi-auto rifle is neither as accurate as a bolt-action nor as interesting as a good lever action. Among shotguns, I

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will choose a double gun or a slide action over most any semi-auto. However, a few quality exceptions have earned the right to challenge this long-held opinion. Exceptions Rule John M. Browning’s Auto-5 shotgun remains one of the noteworthy exceptions. This model and a few others have found

their way onto these pages over the years. The Auto-5 and the younger Remington Model 1100 remain shotgun icons with Maine shooters and with bird hunters across the United States and Canada. The legendary Bill Ruger designed and built two of the exceptional semi-automatic

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rifles. Years after Bill’s death, his versatile Rimfire Model 10/22 remains perhaps the biggest seller of any rifle of any caliber made in America. Though out of production for more than three decades, the Model 10/22’s look-alike cousin, the Model 44 Carbine, also remains an exceptional semi-auto rifle. With its four-shot .44 Magnum magazine and 18½-inch barrel, the Model 44 Carbine still proves a useful choice for medium and large game. Until now, no other semi-automatic rifles or shotguns much interested this gun writer. But now and then something unexpected comes along and BAM!, both surprise and interest hit us. Several months ago a neighbor/friend asked my help in pricing and divesting of his small gun collection. A hunter’s collection, it held a couple of war trophies from WWII, and assorted other guns. He furthered temptation with a gun cabinet, assorted ammunition, and several boxes of reloading supplies and tools. After thinking about it for many weeks, I decided to simplify things by purchasing the whole parcel myself. Anxious to seal the deal, my neighbor agreed to my price. Surprise Package Most interested in two or three pieces in the collection, I paid scant attention to some of the boxes and cases. Then one day in early summer, while looking for something else, I chanced to zip open one of the vi(Continued on next page)

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nyl-sided soft cases. Out came a fancy, top-of-theline deluxe version of a Winchester Model 290 .22 rimfire rifle that I hardly recall pricing back during the winter. With some wear marks from use in the field, the rifle remains an obvious example of a top-flight Model 290. Winchester produced the Deluxe Model 290 between 1965 and 1973. With a non-sequential serial number of B9584XX, it is difficult to say exactly when it came off the line. Winchester made a plainer Model 190 from 1967 through 1980. Together, the 190 and 290 amount to some 2,150,000 units, according to the Blue Book of Gun Values. The Model 290 is a semi-automatic .22 rimfire that accommodates short, long, or long-rifle cartridges fed through a tubular magazine mounted under the twenty-anda-half-inch long barrel. Long-rifle cartridges fill the tube with 15 rounds. The .22 short squeezes in a few more. Workers at Winchester’s Hartford, Con-

necticut factory fitted the 290’s blue steel working parts with a two-piece Monte Carlo hardwood stock finished as if it were walnut. They also impressed it with a basket weave and oak leaf checkering similar to that on Model 88 and Model 100 center-fire rifles. They embellished it with range-adjustable iron sights, a gold trigger and safety switch, and sling swivels. The Model 290 competed head-to-head with Remington’s Nylon 66 autoloader.

Still Viable No gun cabinet queen, this rifle bears evidence of use. A few scratches now decorate the receiver and show in a couple of places on the barrel. Rubs in the finish toward the butt end of the stock mar its once-perfect looks. But the bold patterns in the checkering remain fresh and bright. “Stylish” is a word that fits this Winchester 290 well. Long ago, someone augmented the factory iron sights with a slen-

der-tubed Weaver 4X rimfire scope that brings a target in sharp and clear. Someone also added a military-style leather sling to the factory swivels, making the 290

easy to carry on a long day afield or steadier on point. The Model 290 comes readily to the shoulder and balances well. It (Continued on next page)

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Shooter’s Bench (Continued from page 63)

seems to prefer premium ammunition, but puts

them where it should. It places round after round

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Through the summer, the 290 stood guard in case a marauding woodchuck burrowed into the gardens, or that pesky

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porcupine returned to attack the willow tree down by the pond. My eyes have begin to age just a bit, so the 290’s little scope may now suit me better than the buckhorn iron sights on the favored Marlin. Squirrel season never generates more excitement than the opening of upland bird season, but this year the prospect of a squirrel hunt teases the senses a bit more than in previous years. I was never much aware of the Winchester Model 290, and certainly never sought one. However, good things often come along as an initial surprise. Perhaps the time has arrived to rethink the semi-automatic in general.

¶

— Maine Wildlife Quiz Answers —

1. The Herring Gull inhabits an impressive range stretching across a majority of the United States, Canada, Cuba and even coastal strips of Central America. 2. Herring Gulls are also known simply as “sea gulls”. 3. Juvenile Herring Gulls take approximately four years before finally reaching adult plumage.

4. Adult Herring Gulls have light-gray backs, black wingtips, white heads and bellies, while juveniles have mottled brown back feathers that turn grayer – and feathers on the head and belly that whiten – as they mature. 5. Most calls made by Herring Gulls occur when they are squabbling, fighting over food or territory.

6. Herring Gulls inhabit a wide array of rural and urban environments from coastal and inland beaches to garbage dumps and fishing piers. 7. Herring Gulls eat a broad diet that includes everything from human food waste to fresh- and saltwater fish, crustaceans and a wide array of small invertebrates.

Quiz on Page 35

The Smilin' Sportsman Youth Edition

A man got on the public address system at a Greenville restaurant. “I’ve lost my wallet containing $1,000,” he announced. “If anyone returns it, I’ll give them a $100 reward, no questions asked.” After a pause, a woodcutter in the corner spoke up: “I’ll give them $200.” ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• A fellow walked into the Greenville restaurant. “Hey, Fred,” he said urgently to another patron. “Someone just stole your pick-up truck from out front!” “Did you see who it was?” “No, but I got the license number!” ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Farmer Jones drove by little Timmy’s house, towing a load of manure. “What do you have in the trailer?” asked Timmy. “Manure,” replied Farmer Jones. “What for?” the boy asked. “To put on my strawberries,” the farmer explained. “You really ought to come eat at our house,” said the boy. “Mom puts ice cream on our strawberries here!” ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Jake and Luke had been hunting most of the day. Each of them had taken five shots at running deer, and had missed cleanly with all their shots. Now, they decided it was almost time to quit. “Then it’s agreed,” said Jake. “We’ll each miss two more deer, and then we’ll head back to camp!” www.MaineSportsman.com

¶

Kids! Send your best hunting & fishing stories, and your favorite jokes, to the editor at will@mainesportsman.com

�������������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2017 • 65

Cures for Fishing “Dry Spells” The dreaded “dry spell” eventually sabotages even the best of fishermen. In its early stages it’s simply a fish-less trip here and a skunking there. Initially it’s not much cause for concern. Most of us can get through this portion of the problem with a visit to a good tackle store. Yup, old line, beat up flies and an assortment of worn out, faded tackle quickly take the blame for early stage “dry spell” syndrome. For me this usually results in a trip to one of several favorite fly shops. Just recently I tried to end a dry spell on the Farmington River in Connecticut. I frequent this blue-ribbon trout water during the heat of the summer, in part because of its bottom-release dam that keeps the water cool during the dog days. But, at oh-for-three, the Farmington had me looking deep into my fly box. After waxing my flyline and depositing more currency at a local fly shop than I care to have my wife Denise read about, I pointed my Jeep towards the Farmington once again. A long day of casting resulted in one

Surviving a bout with the dreaded “dry spell” disease requires specific curative treatment – trips to the tackle store, begging other anglers for information, or (gulp) even talking to spin-cast fishermen!

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in the rear view mirror, anglers have the perfect chance to break any dry spell symptoms that developed during the dog days of summer. The rules change slightly as the days shorten. From August 16 through September 30, according to the law, “Fishing in rivers, streams and brooks is restricted to the use of artificial lures or flies only, and the combined total daily bag limit for trout, landlocked salmon and togue is one fish.” It’s a good idea to check the “Special Regulations,” because I counted nearly five pages of special regulations for Somerset County alone. It takes one page just for the special regulations on the Kennebec River. The detailed regulations count as a mixed blessing. Some waters might actually stay open later or even year round, so check first and cast second. For example Indian Pond (DeLorme Atlas Map 40, C-5) remains open to open water fishing from October 1 to December 31. It also has some additional “S” regulations for this special season. Indian Pond has boat ramps located on both the north and south ends of the water. To gain access to the northern ramp, travel down Burnham Pond Road – this runs west from Route 6/15. Last fall this road was getting a bit rough, but with slow going we made out just fine. To use the southern ramp, take the Lake Moxie Road off Route (Continued on next page) www.MaineSportsman.com

66 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��������������������������������������������������

Jackman Region (Continued from page 65)

201 in the Forks, then go north on Indian Pond Road. For a “hand carry” ramp, go a little farther up the “VIP” road. At the southern tip of Indian Pond, notably near the tributaries of Falls Brook and Coburn Brook, anglers target the deep waters on the west shore for togue. Salmon fishermen work offerings between Gold Brook to the west and Indian Stream to the east. Electronics really help when trolling for togue and salmon this time of year. Getting to the right depth makes a huge difference and a serviceable fish finder will aid in making that deter-

mination. Typically, brook trout congregate along the northern tip of the water body where the East and West Outlets flow into Indian Pond. Streamers rule this time of year, especially alewife imitations. Classic streamers became “classics” for a reason. Bring along a few variations and sizes of the Grey Ghost, Wardens Worry, and the Ballou Special. Smallmouth bass have a presence in Indian Pond, to the extent that anglers specifically target the fighting bronzebacks. In fact, Indian Pond has developed a reputation for quality-sized smallies,

From August 16 through September 30, fishing in rivers, streams and brooks is limited to artificial lures and flies only, and the daily bag limit is one trout or one salmon. Read the “special regulations” first; cast later. and many of the boats headed to the launch ramps have bass fishing written all over them. Kennebec River One of my favorite fall activities involves floating the Kennebec River from Solon to North Anson (Map 30, E-4) and slapping the banks with big, gaudy streamers, hoping to aggravate an oversized brown trout into making a mistake. This time of year those big browns lay right along the bank, so pounding a streamer where water meets dry land requires all hands on deck.

The boat oarsman needs to keep the boat just the right distance away from shore, and the anglers need to keep slapping the banks without getting hung up in the overhanging trees. It’s a team effort to get one of these beauties netted. Those looking to fish the Kennebec River from the Wyman Dam in Moscow to the Williams Dam in Solon have the additional opportunity to catch some of the rainbow trout that thrive in this section of the mighty Kennebec. A public boat ramp

with plenty of parking just north of the Route 16 Bridge provides great access. Note in the Special Regulations that from the confluence of Austin Stream to the Route 16 Bridge is designated as a “kids fishing area.” Adults must wait until after they’ve floated past the bridge to make that first cast. Boats with outboard engines can slowly motor upstream, past Austin Stream, and gain access to the tail-water fishery below the Wyman Dam. Those that can safely (Continued on next page)

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make this passage should do so. As I left the Farmington River that day, I stopped and talked to (begged?) a spin-cast fisherman – which is a more serious symptom of “dry

spell” – for information on whether he’d had any luck. “Yup, caught seven in the Beaver Pool,” he responded. “On what?” I anxiously asked. “Mealworms,” he said with a shrug.

“Hmm, the guy that sold me all those flies never said anything about mealworms,” I mumbled. “Dry spell” has progressed to Stage five – I’m in my basement tying a fly that looks like a mealworm.

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68 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��������������������������������������������������

“Rutted Paths” Lead to Fine Fall Fishing The region features foot-trails that have led generations of anglers to productive fishing spots along rivers and streams. Although they don’t show up on Google Earth, these rutted paths have provided access to trout and salmon waters since the days of bamboo rods and silkworm gut leaders. “Follow the path,” instructed my fishing buddy. “Where does it go?” I asked inquisitively. “You’ll see soon enough,” he responded. Since that boyhood discussion nearly forty years ago, I’ve stumbled and bumbled down many a “rutted path” looking to access some fishable water. And, following those well-worn walking trails has paid off consistently over the years. Like most anglers, I try to arrive at new-to-me waters fairly informed. With the plethora of in-

formation available on the World Wide Web, a host of where-to books and satellite imagery courtesy of Google Earth, fishermen can certainly get a handle on most rivers and streams. Rutted paths, those unmarked routes along Maine’s many waterways, just don’t show up on all that technological pre-trip scouting. In fact, many of these shin-deep trails unceremoniously lead directly to prime fishing vantage points. Some footpaths date back to the days when bamboo rods ruled the waters.

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access for anglers who successfully locate those rutted paths that twist and weave towards the

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The Katahdin Region boasts some fine fall salmon fishing. Here, author Bill Sheldon takes full advantage. Sheldon photo

shoreline. Once again, those narrow, deep cut paths lead to access that has produced for generations of fishermen. Often narrow and full of tree roots ready to trip up leg-weary anglers, these primitive foot trails also leave clues for astute fishermen. These paths both give and take. One morning while walking along the Moose River in Rockwood, (Continued on next page)

�������������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2017 • 69 (Continued from page 68)

I found a fly box along the path. Fortunately, two things combined to help that poor angler. This guy was definitely on the ball, because inside the fly box he had his name and address. And, equally importantly, the guy who found it was honest enough to mail it back to him. Another time, again along the Moose River, I found a white streamer with a red throat, very similar to my favorite streamer, the Ballou Special. Seeing it as sign from above I quickly connected it to my leader and proceeded to catch one heck of a nice salmon on this lost fly. (Of course I used the fly only after determining that the former owner had failed to write his name and address on it.) On the downside, I lost a handmade net on an old path just north of Moosehead Lake. The

brush along these paths has a tendency to reach out and grab stuff hanging off fly vests. More than one rod tip has met its end while navigating this fishermen’s highway. The West Branch Penobscot has foot trails along both sides of the river. Anglers lucky enough to spend multiple days fishing this iconic stretch of river can find camping at the Big Eddy campground. Boats work well for fishing the center of the Big Eddy.

Folks looking to fish the Nesowadnehunk Deadwater can launch from a gravel ramp just east of Horserace Brook. Most anglers troll from small boats and canoes in this wide stretch of the river. Smallies Too! While the northern section of the West Branch Penobscot has a stellar reputation as salmon water, once the two branches of the river combine in Medway to form the Penobscot River,

anglers turn their attention to smallmouth bass fishing. For many years I considered July and August the prime months to target bronzebacks, but now the warmer weather seems to last well into September. I’ve added the ninth month to my Penobscot River Small-

mouth fishing calendar. The river from Medway to Old Town provides a lifetime of water to cover and plenty of boat ramps along the way. Most anglers fish the Penobscot from some type of boat, but a few “rutted paths” meander their ways to the water’s edge. (Continued on page 71)

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70 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��������������������������������������������������

Otter Trapping In February of 2015, I wrote an article on the otter. That column reviewed their habits, reproduction cycles, the common traps utilized and some associated equipment, and ended with fur handling. This piece will expand on the actual trapping of otter and the equipment and methods used to trap the furbearer. Many trappers consider the otter as an extremely elusive animal. Otter sign is seldom observed like that of other furbearers. Although not commonly found, their toilets and the trails where they cross over a bend in a stream or between two very close bodies of water is about all you’ll see. Occasionally tracks are found in the mud or sand at water’s edge, but normally the otter stays in the water and leaves no sign of its passing. Passing through is an important thing to remember, because the otter is a far-ranging traveler that covers great dis-

Trapping otter takes special skills, since they are not as concentrated as other furbearers and leave less sign along waterways. The author describes the best sets and trap sizes to improve your results. tances. It may be weeks before they pass through an area again. One who desires to trap them must be patient. The fact of the matter is most otter brought to the fur buyer are incidentals to the trapping of beaver, or more rarely, other furbearers in or along water. Set Multiple Traps in One Area To trap otter in any numbers requires a trapper to cover a lot of ground – or in this case, we should say water. The few trappers that do target otter and catch them in any numbers share most of the same methods (secrets) and understand that the otter is a true traveler who only comes by once in a while. Another fact is that they are very sociable and commonly travel together or in groups. So setting

several traps in a small area can produce multiple catches. The non-trapper rarely if ever sees an otter, and therefore thinks they are uncommon or nonexistent. The fact of the matter is, today with good wildlife management the American River Otter is common and widespread across North America. The trapper who wants to target otter needs to ensure he finds the “few very best locations” in each watershed. He needs to seek their toilets, slides, cross-overs, natural bottlenecks in smaller streams, beaver dens or houses, and areas of concentrated fish populations. An otter will eat some beaver, muskrat or other things, but fish is their preferred and main food source.

Right Size Trap in the Right Place Multiple traps should be set and concentrated at these “best locations.” Here in Maine, all large conibear traps such as the 220, 280 and the 330 must be set completely underwater. This is a problem on smaller streams, where drowning sets using foothold traps are not possible and the depth is not sufficient for the largest conibears. In these locations, the size 220 conibears may be able to be utilized and are the smallest trap of this type that should be used to ensure a humane catch of otter. Many foothold traps may hold an otter, but the most commonly-utilized ones are the size 3, 4, and 5 double long spring, the size 3, 4, 13, and 14 jump and size 4 and 5 coil spring trap. Foothold traps should be set as a drowning set, as the otter is a powerful and hard fighter on the ground. Some states allow the use of large conibears on the ground, making them ideal for cross-over trails and where otter come out of

or enter the water. When placing the conibears under water, incidental catches of beaver, muskrat and even mink occur. Multiple trap sets at a location usually ensures that some traps will be available for the otter when they pass through. The “best set locations” that consistently produce otter will continue to produce in future years if they remain undisturbed. Foothold traps are generally utilized in sets on logs in the water, pocket sets along steep banks, and along rocky shorelines, some baited sets, and in blind sets. The trapper must keep in mind that the otter has short legs; therefore, foothold traps should only be set 2 to 4 inches below the surface. One set is made on a large log that enters the water in an angled position. A notch is cut into a log of sufficient size to allow a set trap to be held and positioned several inches underwater, and a bait or lure is placed a foot or so above the waterline on the log. Another set is to place one or two footholds under a fish suspended several feet above the traps in shallow water, or alongside of a fish placed (Continued on page 71)

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(Continued from page 70)

on a wire between several stakes. A foothold (see illustration) set in shallow water along a rocky shoreline with a beaver carcass or that of several muskrat placed and secured in a crevice or rock cubby will attract an otter. Just remember that specific laws cover exposed baits in Maine – as well as some other states, if you trap out-of-state. A blind trap set may be where otter enter or leave the water at cross overs,

at the base of slides, or on trails. Remember that larger-sized conibear traps (see illustration) must be placed completely underwater in Maine. On smaller streams, they are set where the otter is forced through a pinch point, a dive stick is placed over the trap so that the otter dives under it into the trap. This type of set may require fencing with rocks, sticks or brush to create the bottleneck. This type of set with a dive stick may also be used at the bottom of a

Katahdin Country (Continued from page 69)

Earlier this year, I watched an elderly gentleman slip down one of these paths near a boat ramp I was using. Before I had my raft launched, he showed up along the shoreline, upstream where I couldn’t get, fishing away. Something tells me following in that man’s footsteps could lead to some fast action. More Action The Katahdin Region has an assortment of larger lakes and ponds that offer anglers fine fall fishing. These lakes rely on boat ramps as opposed to rutted paths. Millinocket Lake (Map 51, E-2), at 8,960 acres, hosts an assortment of species strategically located throughout the pond. Salmon and togue frequent the north-

slide or a trail on steep banks where the otter enters or leaves the water. Shallow Water and Open Water Sets A set in shallow water along a rocky shoreline with a beaver carcass or that of several muskrat (similar to the foothold set) may be made where the water depth entering a cubby, pocket or crevice is sufficient to cover the trap. Another set uses a fish impaled on the triggers or attached to them in some manner. This

type of set may be made in open water or under the ice. Lake chubs, small suckers and even a manmade fish such as those plastic ones that serve as fishing bait may be used. In open water, the trap is best when mounted on a base such as a KBR or of a homemade type such as those made with old railroad plates. In moving water, the fish should be positioned to be heading up stream. This is natural in appearance and reduces floating debris clogging up the works.

west portion of the water, between Powers Point and Sandy Stream. Notably, this stretch of water sports the deepest depths, so trolling with downriggers finds plenty of takers. The eastern shoreline has a reputation for producing good numbers of white perch and the ever-feisty pickerel. For a family outing, this rates as a perfect opportunity to let young anglers get in on steady action. The flakey white meat in perch makes great table fare. Speaking of great table fare and good old fashioned family fun, consider Wytopitlock Lake (Map 52, E-5) in Glenwood. For access, use the boat ramp on the southern end of the lake located just north of Route 2A in Haynesville. Conifers shade the swampy shoreline, so make sure to target the shadowy line along the shore. This lake has minimal develop-

In the fall, floating leaves are a real problem. You can block a lot of them with sticks in a “V” formation or even branches struck in the bottom just upstream of the trap. Otter may also be taken in bottom edge sets using 330’s, the same as mink and muskrats are taken with the smaller 110 and 120 traps. Remember – patience and multiple sets at the very best locations will catch the most otter.

¶

ment and offers reasonable solitude along with easy access. Ultimate Rutted Path For the ultimate in “rutted paths,” a trip to Baxter State Park promises plenty of well-worn trails leading to ponds full of native brook trout. Russell Pond, Billfish Pond and Frost Pond, just to name a few, all hold Maine’s crown jewel fish – native squaretails. Anglers looking for “rutted trails” that actually match a map and have a recorded beginning and a defined end would do well to download some maps online or go to the Baxter State Park website (www.baxterparkauthority.com) for detailed information. So enjoy the Katahdin Region’s many “rutted trails” that can lead to unspoiled views and fine fall fishing.

¶

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72 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��������������������������������������������������

When Trolling, Start Shallow and Work Your Way Down It’s September, and at least early on, fish remain down in the thermocline, a certain strata of water where they find comfortable temperatures and plenty of dissolved oxygen. But in many cases, the thermocline is not as far down as we might think. Also, trout, salmon and even togue seek out different depths at different times of the day. In other words, coldwater game fish are not slavishly bound to the thermocline. Unfortunately, too many anglers fish at a certain depth all day, thus reducing their potential daily catch by a significant figure. Here are some suggestions that can help increase fish-catching action. Shallow Early I recently fished a new lake with fishing buddy and Maine guide Matt Gillie of Salmon Pro Charters. Matt had never fished this lake either, so it was a learning experience for us both. Armed with a depth finder and a DeLorme Maine Fishing Maps booklet, we began trolling about 25 feet down. This was in early morning, and we reasoned that salmon would be fairly close to the surface. Our supposition proved correct, when

The author says it’s important to find the thermocline. Once you locate it, then it’s okay to fish slightly above the thermocline, but it’s a total waste of time to fish below it.

The author’s fishing buddy, Matt Gillie, with early-morning fish on. Seymour photo

after only two or three minutes of setting out our lines, I hooked a salmon. The fish leaped, gleaming silver in the morning sunlight. And in doing so it managed to shake the hook, something to watch for any time a salmon jumps. Not long after this, Matt hooked a salmon, but this one didn’t throw the hook. A little over 17 inches long, the salmon

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was fat as could be, evidence of a thriving smelt population. And then we began catching small salmon, one after the other. So we went farther out into the lake and fished at around 35 - 40 feet. There, we got hit after hit, but this was a day when fish struck short, and while we managed to hook several, they were only lightly-hooked and quickly earned their freedom. By now it was late morning, and on a whim we tried a section of the lake that hosts dozens of ice-fishing shacks in winter. Water was only a little over 20 feet, but guess what? It was full of fish. These too struck short, but the whole thing

taught us a lesson. That is, it pays to try different depths, even during late summer. Thermocline Fishing None of this is meant to suggest that the thermocline isn’t important. Sometimes fish will pretty much hold in the thermocline, especially after mid-morning on bright, sunny days. On cloudy or drizzly days, fish can be anywhere, as proved by the day I spent fishing with Matt Gillie. But where is the thermocline, and how do we find it? Most of us use our fish locators to see where and how far down fish are holding. If most fish appear at a certain depth, then it’s likely that they

are in the thermocline. Most of us tend to think that the thermocline is always in deep water. Well, that depends upon the depth of the lake or pond. The thermocline in one favorite Midcoast trout lake is only 30 feet down. Despite depths ranging all the way down to 70 feet, trout do not hold near bottom, but in the comfortable water of the thermocline. Fishing below the thermocline, as too many do, means far fewer hits. Salmon, especially, won’t take a lure or bait presented below their position, mostly because they can’t look down very well. But an offering pulled along above them, even as much as 10 or 15 feet overhead, is prime game. Salmon are perfectly happy to expend a quick burst of energy to dart up and nail an overhead bait or lure. So the bottom line is that it’s okay to fish slightly above the thermocline, but a total waste of time to fish below it. Here’s another note on thermocline depth. On extremely deep lakes, Moosehead Lake for example, the thermocline may be 50 feet down in water depths well over 200 feet. Nothing can live on bottom here because of lack of oxygen. In other, smaller lakes with depths of only 60 feet or a bit more, the same rule applies. All those big fish icons seen hovering just above bottom on the fish locator screen are not salmonids, but suckers. Suckers, of all fish, can survive in low-oxygen areas. (Continued on page 75)

�������������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2017 • 73

This Month’s Options in The County Include Geese, Trout and Moose September in Aroostook used to be little more than a “changeover” month a couple of decades ago – sportsmen utilized the days to put fishing gear away and then locate and prepare their hunting equipment for October and November. However, thanks to longer fishing seasons, the addition of moose and early goose season as well as better bear hunting, the ninth month currently offers plenty of variety and options for lots of cast-and-blast outings. Harvest Time Honkers It’s gotten to the point where there just aren’t enough days this month to accommodate all my desires, so I often do split rod and gun days. I keep two separate piles of clothes and gear in opposite corners of the garage so I can make a quick switch at mid-day between very different angling and shooting ventures. I spend a lot of afternoons in a tree stand waiting for a black bear to appear. I hunt with a handgun, have taken 12 bear in 14 years with a different caliber or style of hand-cannon, so am a bit choosy now regarding

Monticello, Littleton and Houlton offer low gunning pressure and unwary Canada geese. In fact, during our hunts in the Houlton area, the fewest ganders I bagged was three.

Native geese abound throughout Aroostook this month. When these honkers leave their roost pond to feed, smart hunters will be waiting with an attractive decoy spread. All photos by Bill Graves

size. I saw 17 bruin last fall, took a lot of photos but never popped a primer because the bragging size bear never showed

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wildfowl, Canada geese. I’m old enough to remember when we could hunt ducks all season in the Crown of Maine and nev-

er see a honker. Since the transplant efforts year ago by the Maine Wildlife biologists, the native population burgeoned and I’ve not needed to visit Maryland, Connecticut or New York for great goose gunning for nearly 25 years. Local populations are so great that southern Maine guides and shooters as well as out of state waterfowlers arrive in The County in caravans this month. With an early season daily limit of six birds, it’s well worth the travel time from outside regions with limited flocks of Canadas. The problem arises when so many local and visiting hunters vie for limited available agri-field space during a three-week season. The result is that certain rural regions of Caribou, Fort Fairfield, Limestone and Presque Isle get a bit crowded. (Continued on page 68)

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Central Aroostook Chamber 207-764-656 • centralaroostookchamber.com Fort Fairfield Chamber 207-472-3802 • fortfairfield.org Greater Fort Kent Chamber 800-733-3563 • fortkentchamber.com Greater Houlton Chamber 207-532-4216 • greaterhoulton.com Limestone Chamber 207-325-4704 • limestonemaine.org www.MaineSportsman.com

74 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��������������������������������������������������

The County (Continued from page 73)

Several times last season I traveled south and discovered less gunning pressure and more cooperative, less-wary geese around Monticello, Littleton and Houlton. Much of the grain had been harvested, offering multiple feeding fields; there were dozens of nearby roost ponds and rivers; and farmers were generous with permission to hunt as long as there were no nearby field workers active. Of the several hunts my friends and I staged in the Houlton area, not once did we get skunked; the fewest ganders I bagged was three; and we even accounted for two banded birds.

Route 1 offers the main access with a plethora of side roads and even more farm field roads; scout the Framingham Road, Foxcroft Road, Ludlow and McIntyre Roads with their many offshoots through farm country. Get permission from landowners – often the farmers will have vital info on flight times and likely fields the local honkers are visiting regularly. Check out Delorme’s Atlas, Map 59, D- & E-4 and Map 53, A- & B-3 for some early season hot honker hunting. Fall Fishing Regardless of the many hunting options, I

Booking for the 2017 Bear Season! Hunts Over Bait and/or with Hounds

ALSO BOOKING 2017 DEER HUNTS! — ZONE 2 MOOSE HUNTS — In the Heart of the Allagash and Fish River Waterways....

Camp Rentals for Spring and Fall Fishing, Summer Canoeing, Kayaking and Moose Watching

Specializing in

Northern Maine Bear Hunts on Fish River Portage Lake, Maine

David Prevost

Registered Maine Guide

Booking Deer and Grouse Hunts Catering to Hunts in Small Groups At Highlanding Camps, life is quiet and guests quickly unwind from busy lifestyles in one of our log cabins.

603-381-0080 highlandingcamps@gmail.com www.highlandingcamps.com

My last bull moose tipped the scales at 967 pounds, dressed weight. There are many animals that size and larger to be found in the open farm lands of Zone 6.

Second growth fields, pasture land and crop fields are so abundant throughout Zone 6 that a moose hunter driving and checking these areas would likely spot at least one bull a day. This behemoth has been lounging in the burdocks.

can’t let September pass without a few fall fishing forays. Autumn arrives with its very own aroma as harvests get into full swing. And the kaleidoscopic colors of shoreline foliage, duplicated by the water’s reflection, can almost make a fisherman forget his true purpose.

Final trips to the Penobscot River in Medway and to Mattawamkeag Lake in Island Falls for smallmouth skirmishes, are a must. Most of all however, any Aroostook angler mustn’t allow the last month of fishing to pass without a visit to one of

East Branch Lodge

East Branch Mattawamkeag River Rt. 2A Haynesville, Maine - Aroostook County www.eastbranchlodge.com

Deer - Bear - Moose Hunting Grouse Hunting - Camp Rental Smallmouth Bass & Trout Fishing

Maine WMD 11

Paul Dorward 207-694-1185 Email: paul@eastbranchlodge.com

REMOTE TROUT FISHING

Warm Cabins on the Lake Shores! Front Door to Fishing in 200 ft. or Less!

Togue Brook Trout White Fish Cusk Guided Trips Available

Nightly Cabin Rates, 2 night minimum stay Also Booking Open Water Fishing, Guided Bear Hunts Over Bait, Grouse & Deer Hunting Visit us on the web: W W W.

ROSSLAKECAMPS

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Map 55 in Maine Gazetteer

For Fastest Response, E-mail:

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or call to leave a message at 207-227-7766 Andrea Foley and Donald Lavoie, Registered Maine Guides

Year Round Hunting and Fishing Opportunities www.MaineSportsman.com

Allagash Lakes Region American Plan Lodge • Housekeeping Cabins • Year Round Quality Cabins and Lodge on Haymock, Spider and Cliff Lakes Time to make plans for your

ICE FISHING TRIP!

Big Eagle, Churchill, Spider, Pleasant, and Clear Lakes

A great place for a quality Family Vacation!

Ice Fishing • Snowmobiling • X-Country Skiing • Snowshoeing

MACANNAMAC CAMPS Haymock Lake (T8 R11) • 207-307-2115 P.O. Box 598, Millinocket, ME 04462 Mailing Address Only

www.macannamac.com

the Fish River Lakes. While Square and Long are my spring sweethearts, Cross remains my autumn favorite. As days shorten, the sun weakens and nights become chilly, trout and salmon arise from summer depths to feed and frolic in spawning mode nearer the surface and throughout the thoroughfares. This is the time to cast and troll long-shank single hook streamers, in colors that match the waterside foliage. A red and white bucktail, Ouananiche Sunset, red gray ghost and rainbow smelt are some proven favorites. Troll Cross Lake along Matrimony Point, and from Cranberry Point down to where the small brook inlets about halfway to the thoroughfare mouth. At this time of year, the Cross/Square and Cross/Mud connectors can be more productive than at ice out in May, so zig-zag your flies along each. There is also a wonderful wading stretch from the Route 161 bridge near St. Peters store for about 100 yards down the thoroughfare. It’s easy to reach, offers plenty of safe off-road parking, and (Continued on page 75)

�������������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2017 • 75

This trio of honkers fell to writer Bill Graves’ new over-andunder 16-gauge last September. Southern Aroostook offers plenty of roost ponds, hundreds of grain fields, and moderate hunting pressure.

It’s time for black bear hunting in Aroostook. The author used only his camera on this animal, in the hopes that a larger one would come along. Using different caliber pistols, the author has taken 12 bear in the last 14 seasons. (Continued from page 74)

can even be fished with hip boots – this is a prime run holding some bragging size trout and salmon set to spawn. Although you can keep a fish, I opt to release mine so they can reproduce future generations of finned fighters. Look at the Atlas, Map 68, D-2 & -3 will offer an overview of this late season autumn angler’s hot spot.

Zone 6 Moose For those lucky lottery winners of a moose permit this month in Zone 6, you won’t be disappointed. I’ve been fortunate enough to be a permittee or subpermittee six times since the creation of the modern moose season, every one a bull permit, and never had to hunt past Wednesday. We often were a bit picky and spotted a dozen or more animals before filling our tag.

Trout Fishing (Continued from page 72)

Daily Schedule Most of us fish lakes that we know intimately, and armed with that knowledge, we don’t need to search around for fish. Rather, we can begin fishing in proven spots right from the beginning. My daily schedule for one of my favorite local togue and salmon waters goes as follows: Beginning at daybreak, I begin trolling in depths around 30 feet. Until the sun begins shining in earnest, salmon spend early morning hours cruising relatively shallow water in search of smelt. Of course it doesn’t hurt to use a fish locator to confirm what you already know. At

As lake temperatures drop, trout and salmon return to the surface to feed and spawn this month. Trolling or casting streamer flies on the Fish River Lakes can be very productive, and the scenery is breathtaking.

There are plenty of woods for those who prefer to set up a wallow or call from a blind or tree stand. My own success comes from driving and walking around second-growth fields, pastures, cut grain fields and broccoli field edges. Our group has spotted moose at all hours of the day, but the best hours are the first two and last two of each day. Thanks to myriad field roads and two-tracks, we

have been able to drive to each downed animal or haul it to a nearby road with an ATV. M y last bull tipped the scales at 967 pounds, dressed weight. There are many that size and larger foraging, feeding and frolicking with receptive mates throughout the open farm land of Zone 6 during the late September season. Explore the Forest Avenue and Dorsey Road region of Fort Fairfield (Atlas, Map 65, D-4), the

the least, it gives us a psychological advantage. And when the fish locator shows that fish are not as numerous as they were earlier, it’s time to head to deeper water. But even in late morning and early afternoon, it isn’t always necessary to fish in the very deepest spots. For me, after the early-morning session I’ll begin trolling in 40-45 feet of water. Working at this depth usually means lots of hits, and only when – again – the fish locator indicates that fish have moved, do I move on to even deeper water. In this particular lake, even in 65-70 feet of water, fish usually hold no deeper than 50 feet, sometimes even shallower. The trick here is to keep the boat in the right depth. Wind has a way of pushing us off course, and that means, at the least, no

McBurnie and Caribou Lake Roads near Washburn (Map 64, C-5) and the Mountain and East Blaine Roads in Mars Hill (Map 59, A-4 & B-4). Driving and spotting covers a lot more territory than hunting on foot or sitting stationary and calling. This zone still has a good number of moose, and traveling hunters will certainly cross paths with one if they persevere.

¶

fish. Our baits and lures can also get covered with weeds and slime when we are blown off track to more shallow water. I find it very helpful to hold on course by keeping two distant points in view. One point to my north, the saddle between two hills, is my onward target, while my rear target is a large pine tree on a point behind me. By keeping on a line between these two objects, I seldom go off course. Of course it takes time to learn these things on any lake, but once learned, such niceties can help greatly in increasing the number of strikes in a day’s fishing. So it’s time to make hamburger of those sacred cows. Experiment. Try different depths at different times. I think you’ll be glad you did.

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www.MaineSportsman.com

76 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��������������������������������������������������

Welcome to the

CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIED RATES Subscribers may place one free 20-word classified ad per month, limited to two months. Items for sale must include a price. Real estate ads must include an address or location. The regular rates are $15 for up to 20 words and 50¢ for each additional word. Include a black and white photo for an additional $10. Check, money order, MasterCard or VISA (Credit or Debit) are accepted. You may submit your ads by: Phone: 207-357-2702 • E-mail: classifieds@mainesportsman.com Mail: 183 State Street, Suite 101, Augusta ME 04330 Website: www.mainesportsman.com

SUBMIT AD AND PAYMENT BY THE 30TH OF EACH MONTH AND YOUR AD WILL APPEAR IN THE NEXT ISSUE.

ARCHERY HOYT BOWHUNTING OUTFIT Complete with lots of extras. $500 Call Dan in York for details on a great deal. 207-363-6435 –––––––––––––––––

BOATS 14’ FIBERGLASS TDV-DUCK BOAT Excellent shape with pop-up camouflage blind & 15 hp Yamaha motor.

$6,000. 5022

Call:

207-688-

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DOGS TWO COYOTE HOUNDS 3 yr old running walkers, 1 female, 1 male, litter mates, very good dogs. Photos available $750.00 each. Call for details 207837-8834. –––––––––––––––––

Sportsman The Maine

WE’RE GROWING! The Maine Sportsman Magazine is growing and looking to add part-time magazine distributors in multiple key areas of our great state! Please contact Chris at (207) 622-4242 or chris@mainesportsman.com for more information!

FISHING GEAR

& 4. Call David Marshall-207-649-7260 or sdmarshall4@aol.com

CAMPS FOR SALE

FLY ROD G-LOOMIS 9’ 2 piece, 12 weight, with Orion V Fly Reel w/line & extra spool, all in cases. Never Used. $400 OBRO. 207-400-6239

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FOR SALE CAMP IN T-2 R-12, MILE 36 Golden Rd. WELLS, ME. Furnished, winterized, 2 bdrm, sleeps 8, garage & woodshed, w/ ’88 Jeep, tools. Spring on property. $50k 207-993-2366

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GUIDE SERVICE TOP-WATER SMALLIES Remote waters, day trips and overnights. Shore lunches. Fly, Spin, Bait. May-Oct. Eastern Maine. 207-796-2342 KASANNA CHARTERS Striper fishing 1/2 & Full day trips. All tackle provided Fly, Spin. May-Oct. Mid Coast. 207 208-7023 seacraftks@aol.com CAMP AT NORTH EAST CARRY, MOOSEHEAD Can hunt in Zones 9

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POSITION AVAILABLE Looking for housekeeping & kitchen help through November at a northern Maine sporting camp. Daily duties include cleaning cabins, laundry, dishes, food prep, waiting tables, customer service, etc. Room and Board included. Must be a hard working, self- motivated, trustworthy person with great attitude! This is a live-in position when working. Possibility for future seasonal employment. Please email or call with questions. mattandjess@libbycamps.com, or 207-4358274 –––––––––––––––––

SHAPLEIGH SEASONAL CAMP

Two bedroom, fieldstone fireplace, wooded corner lot, acre plus in the Owls Nest. Ideal area for Fishing, Hunting, Hiking $38,000 508-540-7941 –––––––––––––––––

(Continued on next page)

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Your Name_________________________________________________________________________________ Your Address________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ City___________________________________________________State_______________Zip________________ VISA/MC______________________________________________Exp._________________________________ Email__________________________________________________Phone_______________________________ Include your Check, Money Order or VISA/MasterCard info to: The Maine Sportsman, 183 State Street, Suite 101, Augusta, ME 04330 or Call 207-622-4242

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�������������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2017 • 77 (Continued from page 76)

CAMPS FOR RENT PARKMAN, MEBUCKS CROSSING WMD 17 Rental Cabins Turkey, deer, moose, upland game. All amenities included. Great ratesnightly, weekly, monthly. $75/night for two people. 207-277-3183 CABIN FOR RENT IN WMD 17 Comfortable, clean, secluded CABIN for rent, with all amenities. Sleeps 4-5. Available May-Dec $450/wk. Call:207-2774565 CAMP ON SMALL POND IN SHIRLEY $500/wk. Great hunting, fishing & ATV trails nearby. Also, local hunting club 1/4 mi. away is actively looking for five new members. 207-6363689 LAKEFRONT CABIN On the Little Narrows Basin of Upper Cold

Stream Ponds in Lincoln, 4-season cabin w/cable, internet, kayaks, canoe, access to ATV & snowmobile trails. Depending on season, can be rented nightly, weekly or monthly. More info & pictures on Craigslist under Vacation Rentals/Lincoln. Call Tate 207-794-4208 HUNTERS!! CAMP ON 140 ACRES Hogback Mt. Montville, abuts Fry Mt.2000+acres. Sleeps 5, $800.00/wk. Carriage House extra. 207-631-1023 www.wildernesscabin.org BENEDICTA WATERFRONT COTTAGE Full kitchen & bath, 2 queen beds. Dish TV. Excellent bass fishing, moose, partridge, deer hunting. $650/week. Recently remodeled. Call:207-951-6648 –––––––––––––––––

FOR SALE BY OWNER FLAGSTAFF LAKE AREA WMD 7 & 8, Cabin on a .92 acre with deeded access to Flagstaff Lake. Nancy 207-491-3089 –––––––––––––––––

REAL ESTATE 280 ACRES With frontage along Aroostook River Masardis, Maine. Mostly wooded with 2 open fields. Deer, Moose Bear and waterfowl habitat. Electric available at roadside. Felicia OíClair at Dobbs Realty, 92 Bennett Dr. Caribou, ME. 207-4931300 or 207-227-1958.

908-797-8202 HUNTING/FISHING LODGE FOR SALE Active commercial hunting and fishing lodge with 7 cabins, 10 acres, 50 leased bait sites. $250,000. 802-738-3877 GUIDE SERVICE IN BROWNVILLE, ME $239,000. Main lodge and one cabin. Sleeps 18 total. Two utility buildings, one with a walk-in-cooler. 45 leased bait sites for bear. 1 1/2 townships in one area. 40 stands. 2 acres with another 20 acres for $25,000. Fully equipped and ready to go. Great operation for bear. deer, moose, small game and fishing. FMI Retiring.

207-965-8875. –––––––––––––––––

WANTED WANTED DEER/ MOOSE ANTLERS BUYING any size deer & moose shed antlers/ racks or antlered skulls. All grades bought by the pound. 802-875-3206 ZONE 25 ANY-DEER PERMITS Dedicated still-hunter, bow/rifle/muzzleloader, seeks transfer of ME resident Zone 25 permit in September. Will share professionally butchered venison. Thank you. 207779-7634.

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3 BEDROOM HOUSE, ROCKWOOD, ME, WATERFRONT Deer backyard, Fishing frontyard, Moose backyard, Boating frontyard, Bear backyard, Airplane frontyard. Price $169,000.And rented out for $1,250/wk. Call Del

Lodge/Home For Sale by Owners

Custom-Built Post & Beam Lodge/Home! Beautifully built and maintained with spectacular panoramic views of the mountains and Great Moose Lake. Self-sufficient with well, septic and power. Four bedrooms including loft, 2-1/2 baths, attached 2-car garage, situated on 70 +/- acres. Very private. A definite must see! $449,000 REDUCED TO $399,900! Must sell due to poor health. Possible owner financing. For more info or more photos please call 207-324-3200 or email tkpayeur@yahoo.com. www.MaineSportsman.com

78 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��������������������������������������������������

Sportsman The Maine

BUSY 8-UNIT MOTEL FOR SALE Year-round established clientele makes this a great business opportunity with a 3-bedroom attached private living quarters. Located in beautiful Western Maine with great hunting, fishing, skiing, snowmobiling and all outdoor activities. $389,000.

Want to See Your TROPHY PHOTO or OUTDOOR TALE Published in The Maine Sportsman? Send your photo with details or your story to us and you might see it in an upcoming issue! Email: will@mainesportsman.com Photos to be published at Editor’s discretion. Not all photos may be published.

CALLING ALL SURVIVALISTS, HOMESTEADERS, BLACKSMITHS, WOOD WORKERS, LEATHER WORKERS, AND OFF-GRIDDERS!

Call Becky at 207-778-2755 • mountainviewmotelmaine.com

— FOR SALE BY OWNER —

Well Maintained 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath Home in Country Setting Located in Maine’s best hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling area. ITS trail across the road. 200’ frontage on beautiful undeveloped Marr Pond for all your fishing needs. Garage for all your toys. Wood and oil heat, on demand hot water heater. All appliances included. Low, low taxes. Great neighborhood. Sit on your patio and listen to the loons, watch the wildlife, or just enjoy the peace and quiet. See Delorme map #32, C/1 for location details. $135,000

Are you currently living off-grid in the backwoods of America? Are you doing everything the “old school” way and on your own terms? Do you live in a community with similar individuals, where you work together to keep things running? Are you tired of technology and the daily grind, and ready to drop off the map and leave it all behind - or are you already living this way and loving it?

Call (207) 270-0878 for More Details or to View

MONSON: Abutting Appalachian Trail

A major cable network is seeking individuals, families, and groups who are sick of “the system” and are ready to live off the land and get back to the simple life.

15 miles south of Moosehead Lake, start of 100 Mile Wilderness. 40 acre lots, 35 mile panoramic views of lakes and mountains. Rolling terrain with southern exposure. Gated gravel road 5 miles to village. Close to local snowmobile trail and ITS 85. Starting at $1250 per acre with owner financing 20% down.

If this sounds like you or someone you know, we would love to hear from you! Shoot us an email at 1202casting@gmail.com and tell us about yourself and your experience!

Kersey Real Estate

FMI Call 207-343-2797 or Visit Greyledgelodge.com

visit www.kerseyre.com to view our complete listing

“No Blarney Spoken Here”

207-585-2411 207-585-2412

506 West Side Road • Weld, ME 04285 •Mike Kersey, Broker ELL PARKMAN - Year-round solar, 2636 sq. ft. home on 31 acres. in the Maine mountains. Master bedroom, 2 full baths, great room with dining area and kitchen. Propane stove and on-demand hot water heater, wood stove, multipurpose rooms, with washer and dryer. Detached garage. Generator. 30 miles to Moosehead Lake, ponds and lakes nearby. MLS#1308162 - $295,013

SEBEC - Classic Colonial with porch, on 101 acres. Kitchen, dining, living, family room with fireplace, 4 bedrooms. Sunroom with radiant heat, opens to inground heated pool. Attached, heated/AC 2 car garage plus detached 1-car garage. Generator. Very private with paved drive, lots of amenities. MLS#1311957 - $419,900

Betty Richardson 207-717-8296 bettyr@midmaine.com EUSTIS RIDGE Cozy and clean 2 bedroom, 1 bath camp is situated 4.25+- acres. One car garage. Outdoor recreation surrounds this property. Hunt, fish, ATV and snowmobile. $142,000 SPRING LAKE TWP Off the grid camp is on 12.6 acres with direct snowmobile access. Solar panels and generator. Insulated but interior needs to be finished. $98,500 KINGFIELD This is an exceptional opportunity to own a private retreat off the grid. 2 acre trout pond and fabulous mountain views. 113 +acres with wild life galore. $365,000 COPLIN – 1.94+- acres on Meadowbrook Drive. Great recreational area. Now $29,500

More Camps and Land Available. Call Janet Peruffo at

CSM REAL ESTATE

207-265-4000 • janet@csmrealestate.com 259 Main Street, Kingfield, ME • www.csmrealestate.com

www.MaineSportsman.com

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Beautiful place to spend all the seasons Maine has to offer this home is currently being used for three seasons but could be converted to year round living. Come see whats in store for you at the waters edge with dock, great swimming and magnificent sunset views.This property has wonderful inclosed porches that offer easy access to the front yard,dock and lake... Don’t miss the boat! $249,000. MLS #1293994

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Extremely well built cabin nicely tucked in the woods overlooking the Webb River. Located in the heart of the Western Mountains with easy access to hunting, ATVing, snowmobiling, hiking and all the activities around Webb River & Webb Lake. $144,900. MLS #1282498

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Well maintained cabin off the grid surrounded by stonewalls and old growth trees. If you have been looking for a camp well here it is. $59,900. MLS #1307502

CAMPS BY POPULAR DEMAND! NEW 12’X32’ CAMP with 8’ ceiling. Located on 1.62 surveyed acres with direct access to ATV and snowmobile trails from your property. You might want to hurry if want to catch a peek at this one! Listed at $29,900

NEW 14’ X 36’ CAMP with 6’ screened porch. Located on 4.18 acres with direct access to ATV and snowmobile trails from your property, plus you’re in the hea34,900

— BUILDING LOTS WITH ATV & SNOWMOBILE ACCESS — Weld - Large 13 acre camp lot with trail accessible from the property, gravel road frontage in great recreation area for snowmobiling, ATVing, hiking and hunting. $24,500. MLS #1244750

WE HAVE LOTS MORE!

Weld - Looking for a remote spot for your cabin or camper? Here it is! 8 acres w/ easy access, nice view right in the heart of the Western Mnts, a few miles to Mt Blue State Park & Webb Lk. $18,500. MLS #1282348

Carthage/Weld 511 acres with over a mile of paved road frontage, three interior roads. The land is very well wooded with nice mountain views your only 10 minutes to Mt Blue State Park & Webb Lake.. The Webb River is just across the road. ATV and snowmobile trails can be accessed from he property along with hunting and other outdoor activities. NOW ONLY $279,000 MLS #1229364 — PENDING —

North Rumford - Very private 17 acres with great brook frontage and a common area on Meadow Pond located deep in the Western Mountains. $36,500. MLS #1269352 Roxbury - Don’t wait any longer! Large 12 acre + lots w/ spectacular views of mnt & valley, on private association rd. Plus a 10-acre common area for all lot owners. All lots have protective covenants to insure investment and privacy. $47,500. MLS #1304495 Carthage - Excellent building lots w/ easy access to ATV & snowmobile trails. All lots surveyed and have driveways into building site. Ready for your new cabin in the woods? Then come check em’ out. $26,500. MLS #1205057 Phillips 40 acre lot with over 1900 feet of paved road frontage in the Western Mountains near Rangeley Lakes, Webb Lake and State Parks. Located on Rt 142 only 7 miles to Webb Lake. Listed at....$49,900. MLS #1204173 South Rumford - Very nice 95 acre wooded lot with views of the Androscoggin River Valley. A well-built gravel road will bring you up the mountain side to several plateaus and building sites. Priced right at....$139,500. MLS #1261656 Carthage 160 Acres with views of Tumbledown and Webb Lake absolutely gorgeous spot for a cabin or two great recreation area for snowmobiling,ATVing and hunting.You gotta see this one. $95,500 MLS #1244326.....$95,500 Phillips 40 Acres - Set up your camper next to the fire pit while you pick your building site. This 40 acre lot offers privacy, views and a wonderful babbling brook an acre or so of nice field with some small planted trees. $59,500 MLS #1309063 Fayette 179 Acres - Great property with old stonewalls, views, gravel also some fields and hidden locations for that hunting camp you’ve been looking to build...don’t miss this very private, huge 179 acre lot at a very attractive price. $71,500 MLS #1315323

26.2 Acres, Roxbury Pond, paved and private access ........................................................ $69,500

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BETHEL KING LOT This land boasts exceptional development potential or enjoy the vast land with your friends and family, excellent road infrastrucure and beautiful views of local ski areas. 1356 acres offered at $1,250,000. MLS #1149583

WOOD LOTS • WOOD LOTS • WOOD LOTS #1282270 - Byron, 99 Acres ............................................................................ $55,000 #1282273 - Byron, 116 Acres .............................................................................$74,900 #1282275 - Byron, 28 Acres ............................................................................. $29,900 #1282237 - Hartford, 574 Acres ...................................................................... $299,00 #1282239 - Hartford, 91 Acres......................................................................... $63,900 #1282241 - Hartford, 156 Acres – SOLD!............................................... $117,000 #1282230 - Jay, 136 Acres ................................................................................ $88,900 #1282243 - Peru, 191 Acres...............................................................................$161,900 #1282246 - Peru, 322 Acres ...........................................................................$206,500

�������������������������������������������������� The Maine Sportsman • September 2017 • 79

— NEW LISTINGS — STETSON POND 504+/- ACRES completely surround this pristine, 11+/- acre mountain pond located mid-way between Rangeley and Farmington! $750,000

Be Sure to LIKE The Maine Sportsman on Facebook!

ALLAGASH WILDERNESS LAND & CABINS FOR SALE 4.5 acres with 2 fully-furnished large log cabins, sleeps 14+, 750’ frontage on Spider Lake with great year-round fishing. Includes guest cottage, workshops, woodshed, outhouses, boats, motors, icehouse, generator, docks, skylights, and gardens.

$399,000

1,039 +/- ACRES with approx. 4,000’ paved road frontage and 205’ on a 170+/- acre bass pond located approx. 1.75 hours from Portland! $1,500,000

Contact Fred & Linda Boucher Email allagash.linda@yahoo.com or leave a message at 207-573-1541

220+/- ACRES with 360 degree views – Sugarloaf, Mt. Abrams, Ick Norton, Day Mountain and more! 4,000’ paved road frontage and interior gravel roads. $199,500 Juanita Bean Smith, Broker Coldwell Banker Sandy River Realty 602 Wilton Road • Farmington, ME Direct Phone: 207-592-2200 Office Phone: 207-778-6333

MADISON. Living on the lake can be yours! Fabulous 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home on 2.12 acres and 220 feet of frontage on beautiful Lake Wesserunsett! Home features Granite counters, tile and hardwood floors, master bed with full bath, sauna room and stunning kitchen. 3 car detached garage with apartment above and separate 2 car garage/carport. Enjoy the game room, screened porch and luxury of on-demand generator. 3 season room with screened walls and tile floor and BBQ/food workstation and sink. Docks included. Beautiful lake views all year ‘round! $489,000 KINGSBURY. Outdoor opportunities galore await you with this beautiful, spacious camp on 5 private acres in the Kingsbury countryside. Just a short drive to Kingsbury pond with thousands of acres of wilderness at your doorstep. Enjoy many of the comforts of home in this three-bedroom camp with an indoor bathroom, drilled well, and solar powered lights. Call today to schedule a showing. $89,000 SKOWHEGAN. Great house lot! (Former site of an old school). Small clearing at road and the rest is mostly wooded. Could be used for a business. Priced under town assessment. Well worth a look! Close to Skowhegan and Waterville. $19,900 EMBDEN. Wooded lot in a country location near Embden Pond. This is a great area for recreation with the public boat launch and beach nearby, Sugarloaf Ski and Golf is under an hour drive and ATV/Snowmobile trails throughout the area. The rear of the property is part of the State of Maine Game Management for Fahi Pond, so no neighbors back there! There is a small unnamed brook running through the property and would be a great place to hunt or build a camp. Seller will finance to qualified buyer. $42,500 LEXINGTON TWP. Approximately 3,750 feet frontage on Route 16 in Lexington Township with this approximate 97.12 acre parcel. Currently in “Tree Growth” for tax purposes. (Hb337) $106,500 MADISON. Have you been waiting for that perfect cottage on beautiful Lake Wesserunsett? Here is your chance! Beautiful 3 bedroom cottage with newer kitchen. Beautiful inside and out! Master bedroom with bath. Loads of room for your family or company. Beautifully landscaped yard. Views of the lake are stunning. This is like a summer home away from home and so worth a look. $299,900 BRIGHTON PLT. Hear the call of loons from this 64 acre parcel with about 850 feet of private frontage on Wyman Pond. Many trails in the area for ATV riding or snowmobiling. Hunt and fish all you like. Currently in tree growth for tax purposes (Ha443 & Hb382). $121,000 CORNVILLE. 60 acres with insulated camp in the heart of sportsman’s country! Come get away from all the hustle and bustle and enjoy the Maine woods. Back line of property is Black Stream with approximately 1,500’ of frontage. Privacy, plentiful hunting, and trails throughout the property. Camp has 2 bunks, hot shower, wood stove, and privy. Plenty of room to build new or add on to camp. $69,900 EUSTIS. 158 acres with your own private pond! Approximately 3000 feet around the pond. Great spot for a private home or camp setting. Snowmobiling, 4-wheeling, hunting and fishing paradise. Currently in tree growth for tax purposes (23007Hb003). $165,000

Lincoln - Affordable 3 bedroom, 2 bath lakefront home. Central vacuum, wood floors, large deck, paved driveway, 2 car garage, nicely landscaped large lot, sits right on the shores of Mattanawcook Lake. Reduced to $139,000

Mattawamkeag - Open concept camp, partially wired for generator, year round access, electricity available, 10+/- acres of field, 40+/- acres of woodland, long interior road leading from Route 2. $69,000

Lincoln - 2 bedroom cedar log cabin on a 2.4+/- acre lot. Septic, on demand hot water, and drilled well. Wired for generator. Great condition and ready to use. Frontage on Smith Brook. $52,900

Mattawamkeag - Camp shell ready to be finished. Full concrete foundation, vinyl sided, drilled well, septic system and lawn is already done for you. Sited on 2.9 acres with 303’ along the Mattawamkeag River. Reduced to $59,000 Chester - Large 43+/- acre lot. Fenced in area ready for livestock. Mostly field with long driveway and electricity on site. 5 minutes from I95 or Lincoln on the South Chester Road. $89,000

Lakeville - Beautiful log cabin on 1.8+/acres. Open cathedral area, spiral staircase, wood fireplace. Drilled well, septic, and laundry bring the comforts of home to this seasonal camp with gorgeous views of Bottle Lake. $189,000

Lakeville - 2 bedroom, 1/2 bath cabin on a 1.4+/- acre lot. Comes with modern septic system, dug well, and concrete foundation. Finished on the inside and in a quiet location on Sysladobsis Lake. $150,000

Mattamiscontis - Nice 1.7+/- acre lots. Located on a year round road not far from I-95 or downtown Lincoln. Enjoy fishing, hunting, and paddling on the Penobscot River. $16,000 Lincoln - 10+/- acre lot close to town yet private. Wooded, mile long driveway on an ATV trail. Equipped with privy, fire pit, and tent platform. Year round access on town maintained South Road. $13,900 Lincoln - Private 1.75 acre lot sited in exclusive lakefront neighborhood. Well maintained year round road, electricity available, 258’ of nice frontage along Mattanawcook Lake. $52,900

R E A L

E S T A T E

5 LAKE STREET, P.O. BOX 66, LINCOLN 207-794-2460 www.cwalakestreet.com E-mail: cwa@cwalakestreet.com

1-800-675-2460 Call any of our brokers to work for you!

“Tate” Aylward ................ 794-2460 Peter Phinney.................. 794-5466 Kirk Ritchie...................... 290-1554

FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION ON OUR PROPERTIES VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT CWALAKESTREET.COM

www.MaineSportsman.com

80 • September 2017 • The Maine Sportsman ��������������������������������������������������

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