Articles
Buck Fever
BY Tom Kelly We have all heard the term, “Buck Fever”. Most of us have at one time or another even experienced it. This malady doesn’t just afflict deer hunters. In fact, I have frequently seen experienced deer hunters become victims of target panic when they see their first bear in the woods sneaking into … Continued
Legendary Maine Bucks
BY V. Paul Reynolds Maine has long been famous for its “monster” whitetail bucks. Of course, the most fabled of these is the 1955 Horace Hinckley buck, a big-toed bruiser that field-dressed at a jaw-dropping 355 lbs! No other buck has since come close to this famous buck,when it comes to sheer weight. But weight … Continued
November Grouse
By Paul Fuller Is November the new October? With climate change, everything changes. Let me explain. As I’ve written many times in this column, there are two ingredients that control a grouse life: food and shelter. Conifers are the main source of shelter for the ruffed grouse. And, that source of shelter remains … Continued
Bucks: The Big Woods Mystique
By Hal Blood September signals that fall has arrived in the north country. By the beginning of September, they have the red tinge that will soon be the spectacular foliage that adds to the beauty of the woods. Frost is eminent and I have seen it in late august as well. September the transition month … Continued
Fly Fishing the Hex Hatch
Author Leighton Wass’s 34 years of fishing the Hexagenia mayfly hatch makes this 310- page book with its 250-plus photos and illustrations a must-read for experienced fly anglers and novices alike. Topics addressed include how to predict the timing of a Hex Hatch, how to be prepared for an evening of fishing, the author’s top … Continued
Hunting: Ethical Choices
BY V. Paul Reynolds In the realm of deer hunting, what is the definition of “fair chase” anyway? Fair chase, as defined by the Boone and Crockett Club, is the ethical, sportsmanlike, and lawful pursuit and taking of any free-ranging wild game animal in a manner that does not give the hunter an improper or unfair … Continued
SAM Saves Deer Yards
By V. Paul Reynolds August 23 at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer, David Trahan, the executive director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine (SAM), was the guest speaker at a Deer Yard Forum hosted by some Bangor area state Republican legislative candidates. Gerry Lavigne, a retired state deer biologist and wildlife consultant for SAM, joined Trahan … Continued
Warden Pilots
By V. Paul Reynolds Sooner or later, most career game wardens place themselves in harm’s way in the line of duty. The same can be said for game warden pilots who often are called upon to assist, from the air, in coordinated ground searches for missing persons. More often than not the weather is nasty, … Continued
Mean Seeds
By Paul Fuller The prairies are calling. I believe it was Bing Crosby who gave us this lyric: Home, home on the range, where the deer and antelope play. I’ve been getting many inquires recently about hunting the prairies. I’ve written many times about hunting the prairies in this column, however, one issue I haven’t … Continued
Moose of the Slash
BY Mark McCollough In the deep woods of northwestern Maine, it is known as “The Slash.” Maine’s 292-mile border with the province of Quebec is not impressive, just a 40-foot swath cut through the spruce, fir, and cedars. Most power line rights-of-way are wider. About every half mile or so is a waist-high boundary monument … Continued