Articles

Message from the Editor

By: V. Paul Reynolds

  The Sporting Journal’s “New Normal” Some sage once said that in life “change is the only constant.” How true that is. The Covid-19 era underscores the profound nature of change like nothing we have seen in many years. Uncertainty, confusion, and anxiety have seemingly combined to put fear as the central emotion that seems … Continued

Parmachenee Lake- The Hidden Jewel

By Bob Romano The Native Americans of the region did not keep written records, and for this reason it is hard to distinguish between fact and fiction when it comes to their legacy, but there are a number of tales that involve Chief Metallak. Located deep within the northwest corner of Maine’s vast forestland, Parmachenee … Continued

The Cougar Sightings

By: V. Paul Reynolds

  By V. Paul Reynolds For almost as long as I have been writing about the Maine outdoors, this fascinating question has persisted: “Are there mountain lions (cougars) in Maine?” In a way, the elusive and mysterious cougar has become somewhat of a Maine folklore icon, the Maine equivalent of Bigfoot in the Pacific Northwest. … Continued

Chasing High Adventure

By: ken winters

Chasing High Adventure by Ken Winters Having survived the unexpected charge of a ferocious African lion, being trampled by an enraged elephant, shot at while parachuting behind enemy lines, Ken Winters spent his life ignoring danger in his passionate pursuit of adventure. This is his extraordinary life story, during which he survived five near-death experiences.  … Continued

Fishing the Belgrades

By: dennis bolduc

Maine Angler’s Logbook by Dennis Bolduc Ever since I was a kid growing up in Waterville, fishing in the Belgrades was a topic I heard often. Unfortunately, my family did little to none when it came to fishing. I was very fortunate to have lived next door to some great neighbors who always took the … Continued

Walter Arnold, Maine Trapper

By: Jeremiah Wood

  Walter Arnold, Maine Trapper by Jeremiah Wood   Relive a bit of trapping history with stories from Maine legend Walter Arnold. For decades, Arnold spent his winters pursuing valuable furbearers out of remote cabins in Maine’s north woods. Later in life, he gained great notoriety as one of the last mountain men, living alone … Continued

The Last Camp Geezer

By: V. Paul Reynolds

  Maine Deer Hunter’s Logbook By V. Paul Reynolds Back when America produced real leaders, one of them – Gen. Douglas MacArthur – said in one of his famous speeches that “old soldiers never die, they just fade away.” Maybe the same is true of old sportsmen. As a stalwart deer hunter from the Old … Continued

25 Best Towns Fishing for Trout

By: Bob Mallard

25 Best Towns Fly Fishing for Trout by Bob Mallard A unique book that looks at towns with access to multiple waters versus specific waters.  Includes Rangeley, Maine; North Conway, New Hampshire; Manchester, Vermont; Hancock, New York; State College, Pennsylvania; as well as West Yellowstone, Ennis, Livingston, and Missoula, Montana; Jackson and Cody, Wyoming; Grayling, … Continued

Cougar Encounters in Maine

By: V. Paul Reynolds

Cougar Encounters in Maine Editor’s note: There are a variety of names that connote the same animal: mountain lion, cougar, panther, puma and catamount. Tiff Shuttlesworth, Brewer “In November of 2019 I saw, unmistakably, a cougar walking along the wooded edge of my back yard early one morning. (I have 8 acres surrounded by large … Continued

Cougars: Are They in Maine?

  By V. Paul Reynolds The question persists. More than 25 years ago, as editor of the official magazine for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIF&W), the same question was addressed by me in an article that sought to dig deep and find credible answers. At the time, despite a number of … Continued

Reader Feedback

The Northwoods Sporting Journal is the largest hunting & fishing magazine in the Northeast.

"Just want to complement all of you on an excellent magazine. I have my subscription sent to my office and have found that clients grab the Northwoods Sporting Journal first over the dozen or so other magazines in our waiting area.
I have enclosed subscriptions for myself and five friends that I think will enjoy your magazine. I especially like the Outdoor News sections for keeping up to date with statistics and changes going on in the state."

Jay Deane

"I used to subscribe to several outdoor magazines in the past until one day I picked up a copy of the NWSJ at LL Bean in Freeport, Maine. After reading the journal I have to say I never subscribed to any other outdoor magazine. The journal had it all and the thing is it only gets better every month! The articles are informative and very well written by what I consider experts in the field. I have to say if one does not subscribe to the journal or picks up a copy of the journal “they do not know what they are missing!” Unfortunately, I am not a resident of Maine but after reading the journal I feel I know more about your great state than my own regarding the opportunities of hunting and fishing, very good writers."

Tony Ostrowski

"Good morning, I have to write this…because your magazine deserves it.  Every couple last winters my family has gone up to Maine after Christmas for a couple days.  This always coincides with a stop at KTP, where I buy a copy of your magazine. Well, this Christmas I asked my kids for one gift, a subscription to NWSJ. I’m 57 years old, I grew up cutting and chopping cords of wood every year for my family’s two vermont castings stoves, and fishing and hunting extensively. especially loved tying my own flies and selling them in my local Connecticut hardware store when I was 12.  When not doing those things I was salivating over field and stream, outdoor life, fin and feather, you understand…those were great mags, but I don’t like how they’ve changed over the years…they’re selling to the masses now, not to who I think is their core audience. You guys are different, and good different.  You’re old school.  You actually do not care what people think of what you’re writing, and that reeks of important values like HONESTY, COMMON SENSE, PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND KNOWLEDGE. Your articles are SO good that I refuse to read more than one at a time.  no joke; I leave each issue open on my kitchen table, and read one article a day.  Why? Because every single article is fantastic!  I don’t want to ruin the digestion of the last one by reading the next one too quickly…yes, you guys are that good. So here it is, my first feedback; you have the best outdoor magazine I have ever read..and will continue to read it till I can’t read. "

Alexander Pflomm

"I enjoyed reading Ms. AuClair’s article on Mount Katahdin. 
I had also enjoyed the mountain and knife-edge trail twice when I was in my late 40s - early 50s. It’s an unbelievably beautiful environment. The quiet is God-like. Thanks very much. Keep up the great reading. I look forward every month to the Sporting Journal."

Warren Seddon