I woke my
son up at 1:40 in the morning so that we could be in Millinocket by 4 AM. I
have made it a point this year to take advantage of local Maine guides who are
struggling because of the cancellations from out-of-state hunters and anglers. Many
guides and outfitters have great discounts on trips and as a local, I am happy
to take advantage! We had been in quarantine for 12 weeks at that point and it
was leading up to my son’s birthday. So at 4am, we met up with Paul Sannicandro
ofMoose Woods Guide Serviceto go on a moose safari. 

The weather called for rain but we were
determined to find a few moose before the storms rolled in.  With bug spray, binoculars, cameras and face
masks, we headed out on the Golden Road to find some moose.  We didn’t
have to go far before Paul spotted a young bull. Excitedly and quietly, we hiked
close to the edge of the pond to get a better view.  The sun was just starting
to crest the trees and illuminate the snow on the peak of Katahdin. It was one
of those moments that makes you take a deep breath and just be grateful – even
amid the swarm of mosquitos.

Paul helped
my son snap a few pictures with his camera and let him try out his moose
call.  When the bull didn’t respond, Paul
assured him that it was because the moose couldn’t hear him.  We watched the bull eat and wade through the
water.  My son asked a lot of questions
and talked about the outdoors, things he learned from Wild Kratts and how he had perfected his moose call. Paul was
fantastic and made sure to keep the conversation going with a very talkative
(almost) seven-year-old. He commented on and appreciated his love of the
outdoors and willingness to get up in the middle of the night to come and look
for moose.

We went to
two different ponds and each time there was a larger bull moose that was closer
to where we were.  My son snapped more
photos. We were able to get some great pictures and watch an amazing sunrise. We
were the only people on the road.  We saw
waterfalls, parts of the Appalachian trail, signs for Baxter State Park and
were able to talk about hunting and fishing and the importance of people seeing
these natural places.The rain began to move in mid-morning and we
decided to end our adventure a little early. After being up for almost nine
hours, a nap was in store.  As we said
our goodbyes, Paul handed my son a biography of Theodore Roosevelt, wished him
a happy birthday and told him to keep exploring the wild places.

We need
more guys like Paul. We need to support and promote the work that they do and
continue to nurture the love of the outdoors in the next generation. It was a
fantastic trip filled with great stories, bull moose and a breathtaking
landscape.  We can not wait to go back.