A few weeks ago, I sat down with the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Chandler Woodcock to talk about the increase in moose and doe permits across the State and what it means for sportswomen (and men) this upcoming hunting season. Q: The number of moose permits has been released for 2013 and they have increased since last year (from 3,725 to 4155). What's changed? A: Our biologist, Lee Kantar has been working tirelessly to get an accurate moose count. He has gone up in a helicopter and used some new technology to get accurate numbers of moose around Maine. The majority of the increases will be seen north of Bangor and we looked at each WMD individually to make sure we are carefully monitoring the...
As I write this, I am almost 38 weeks pregnant. I finished up my first season (more like sample) of turkey hunting with Dad and have found some things are vastly different than then were 22 weeks ago when I was deer hunting. For starters, Dad and I are novices when it comes to figuring out how turkeys operate. Give me a rainy weekend and I can tell you the times of day that the deer will be moving and when they will bed down. With these turkeys, that rule doesn't seem to apply; they are out in a complete downpour. When I make noise by rattling antlers or using a bleet, I know if I am trying to imitate another buck or a doe. I have no idea what sort of bird I sound like when I use my box call. In the...
Well, we know we are in a good area and that our calls work. We got into the woods by the Sky Condo a little earlier than we did on the first day. The weather predicted rain so we wanted to get in as much time as possible. We got to our ground blind, set up the decoys and settled in to start calling. This morning though, we didn’t have to start anything. We heard a gobble within five minutes of sitting down. I got my box call out and called back. He answered almost immediately. We had a great conversation for a steady 30 minutes with him often double or triple gobbling. Then the gobbles became more spaced apart but did not stop. Dad decided that be would circle down to the power...
It is hard to hunt anything when there are rain drops falling off the trees. It is probably the worst during deer season when everything sounds like the snapping of a branch. But, this was my first day of turkey hunting and having never been before, I had no idea what I should be listening for besides a gobble. Our turkey decoys Dad and I had two decoys set up about 15 yards away from us. I had a slate call, a box call and my camo on. It was starting to get light out when we reached the blind; that time of morning when you can not tell if you really are seeing something move or if it is just your eyes. It was probably a little later than we should have been in the woods, but we are new and learning. About...
Spring is a great time to have a baby (I think). You get the summer off to enjoy the new baby, it’s getting warmer and the farmer’s markets come back. But, I am not the only one who is planning to deliver in the next few weeks; many of Maine’s white-tailed does will be joining me in adding to the population. Does will typically give birth in fields and along the tree line where they are comfortable and not in too much stress. As we get out and about more to enjoy the changing seasons, it is vital that we stay away from does that may seem like they are in trouble (they could be pacing or have their tail up) because they are getting ready to fawn and do not need the added stress. The bulk of the fawning will...
Someday, in my dreams, there will be a store full of outdoor clothing. Deer hunting, turkey hunting, fishing… a store full of every possible article of clothing that you could possibly need. Blaze orange, camo, base layers and outter layers… it will all be there. And the best thing about the whole thing – it will be all women’s clothing and NOT pink! I bought my first pieces of camo this spring in preparation of turkey season. Nothing crazy, just a head/neck cover and a long-sleeve shirt. I had to try and figure out what men’s size I would need that would do the trick and be usable next year (while covering the baby bump this season). I think I did it, but if there were women’s sizes, I could have...
Last week, Hubby and I traveled to Unity to the 7th Annual Sportsmen's Conference and Game Dinner and met up with Robin and her family. The dinner raises money for local non-profits and serves game that is usually donated by local hunters, game wardens who take animals that have been poached and the members of the Unity College community. We had everything from elk and bear to togue and beaver. And if you were lucky enough to get tickets to this yearly sold out event, then you were able to enjoy a 5 course meal in addition to the yummy appetizers. I was open to trying anything that would be served - within reason (I won't eat the heart of anything, even when I am not pregnant) and I am happy to report that there...
If you have read this blog for any period of time, you know how much I love deer ticks. As I head out for turkey season in a couple of weeks... how concerned do I need to be about those little blood suckers coming after me? (Rabid, Duck Hunter...) I have the Doctor's ok to wear deet from my knees down and I bet I could spray clothing or a blanket and put it over me... but as I am BRAND new to turkey hunting, I need some help with how prepared I should be.
For 10 years, I have been trained to look for that quarter-sized spot, half way down the crease of the shoulder. That is where I would set my cross hairs and shoot. That one small spot to ensure that the deer I was hunting would die a quick death. The idea that I would have many pellets in a shell and just sort of aim at what I was trying to kill is something I am trying to wrap my mind around. Hubby and I were up at Mom and Dad's for Easter weekend and decided to break out the guns on Saturday afternoon. We were using #6 and #8 shells (I apologize right now for any and all incorrect terminology that I am about to use! I will get it after a while) but will be hunting with #4. Dad has a pump 12 gauge and a break action 12 gauge. The...
