Maine Hunting Articles and Blog • Page 17 of 48 • And A Strong Cup of Coffee

Preparing for deer season

By Erin M | Jul 22, 2013 | 2 Comments | 2 min read

The temp was 102 at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Yes, 102. Dad and I were melting but we had put this off for way too long. Here is was July and our trail cameras were not up and because they weren't, we were not seeing what sort of animals are around our hunting areas. We put up three cameras. Two by the Sky Condo (the above shot is a panoramic from the bottom of the SC) and one by my tree seat. For the first time in a long time, I was able to bathe in deet in order to prevent the ticks from finding me - as well as the mosquitoes and black flies. It was hot, we were sweaty and I stunk from all of the bug...

On hunting bears in Maine

By Erin M | Jul 17, 2013 | 4 Comments | 4 min read

Once again, Maine finds itself facing a battle over our bear hunt. The Humane Society of America tried to get a motion to outlaw bear baiting through the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee at the State House and it fell flat. As a result (and as they threatened to do), they are trying to collect enough signatures to take the issue to the voters. The last time they did this, Mainers won out with 53% of the vote. We appreciate our biologists, bear hunters and those that make a living off of the hunting industry. Below is a blog that I wrote for the Bangor Daily News. I have included the link here so...

What a dead moose can tell you

By Erin M | Jun 24, 2013 | 0 Comments | 6 min read

Three years ago, Dad and I headed into the woods to get a moose. I took a week off from work and we were rocked and ready. Zone 17. In hindsight, I can see why Rick wanted to trade permits for that zone. Throughout the week, we saw one dead moose and a spot where one was gutted. That was it. It was the second time Dad had been drawn and the first time he didn't come home with some meat. At the start of the 2012 moose season, it was projected that 75,000 moose were roaming the woods. In my interview with Commissioner Woodcock, he spoke about the changes that were taking place this season that would allow more people to get their permit...

Celebrating Outdoor Dads for Father’s Day

By Erin M | Jun 16, 2013 | 1 Comment | 4 min read

Dads play an important role in getting the next generation of hunters interested and out in the woods. It takes almost as much skill to get the kids out there as it does to make that shot and harvest an animal. There is the concern over getting cold, keeping their attention and talking about what it means to kill (and then eat) an animal. In honor of Father's Day and all of the great outdoor Dads, I thought that it would be perfect to hear how Bryan includes his sons with his hunting and the excitement they had this past deer season when the boys were with Bryan as he shot his first buck. I have interviewed Bryan before...

Hunter’s patience pays off with increase in permits

By Erin M | Jun 10, 2013 | 4 Comments | 4 min read

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...

Then and Now

By Erin M | May 27, 2013 | 0 Comments | 2 min read

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...

Day 2 of turkey hunting

By Erin M | May 20, 2013 | 2 Comments | 3 min read

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...

First day of turkey hunting

By Erin M | May 13, 2013 | 4 Comments | 3 min read

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...

Spot a fawn? Leave it alone!

By Erin M | May 8, 2013 | 2 Comments | 3 min read

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...

The joys of being a female hunter

By Erin M | Apr 28, 2013 | 4 Comments | 3 min read

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...

A dinner of meat – for a good cause.

By Erin M | Apr 18, 2013 | 1 Comment | 4 min read

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...

Do I need to worry about ticks?

By Erin M | Apr 11, 2013 | 4 Comments | 1 min read

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.

Need to shoot a shot gun to be ready for the turkeys!

By Erin M | Apr 4, 2013 | 0 Comments | 4 min read

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...

Huntress of the Month!

By Erin M | Mar 29, 2013 | 0 Comments | 1 min read

A few weeks ago, I was approached about an interview with Elizabeth from Deer Passion (@deerpassion) that would be done on real hunting women. Not the ones who have sponsors and can spend their whole lives making TV shows or promoting themselves, but the women who have full time jobs, families and still find time to get outside and hunt. Here is the link to the interview! She did a great job and writes a great blog so you should check her out anyways! Happy Hunting!

Lots of deer, no turkeys

By Erin M | Mar 26, 2013 | 2 Comments | 1 min read

Every time I see or talk to my Dad, we have a check in of local wildlife; have you seen any deer? where where they? how many tracks etc. Dad and I had a roadside chat yesterday as we met on the road and were headed in different directions. The update: lots of tracks near the Sky Condo and he had done some pruning for this fall - we need one more clear shooting lane off at our 1 o'clock to be able to get some good shots along a well traveled deer trail. I asked about any turkeys he had seen because the season starts in just a few weeks. Nada. None in the woods and none behind the house. These buggers are going to make me work to get one...

Fitting into the family

By Erin M | Mar 23, 2013 | 1 Comment | 1 min read

Somewhere, there is a photo of Dad and I in our matching red and black plaid wool jackets at Christmas. They look like this but red: Although last year, Dad did not wear his wool pants as much, we usually look like twins when we head off into the woods. It's our hunting uniform. So, when I was shopping for baby clothes hangers and I saw a red and black plaid fleece pull over, I had to buy it. Had to. Sure, it is for a 24 month old and I have about 26 months until the baby will fit into it, but it was a small hunting uniform that I needed to buy. To all of you parents out there... what else should I buy?...

Wanted: An Organization that supports me!

By Erin M | Mar 8, 2013 | 9 Comments | 4 min read

As a 30 year-old woman, it is hard to figure out where I belong in the overall hunting world so that I am taken seriously. Women, and my demographic specifically, are the fastest growing demographic in the hunting world right now. I have been hunting for 10 years and write a few different outdoor blogs about my experiences and in order to keep up with what is happening across the state, I belong to organizations that promote hunting and the outdoors. One of those organizations is the Sportman's Alliance of Maine (SAM). I have been a member for about a year now. Their mission states that: The Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine is Maine’s...

The Maine Moose Lotto

By Erin M | Feb 26, 2013 | 4 Comments | 3 min read

This year, Dad and I decided that we would sit out of the moose lotto. It made sense. In 2010, when Dad was picked, we spent a solid 8 hours a day riding the roads in his truck looking for moose, walking around in the woods calling for moose and seeing a lot of hunters and only 1 dead cow. Since we know the time commitment that we are looking at if we get picked, and with me nursing a 4 month old come October, we decided to not apply for a permit. But, with the new Maine Moose Lotto revamped from what it was in 2011, Dad and I could still get points for applying and ensure our names were not entered to be drawn for permits. For each year...

Youth Hunting where you are

By Erin M | Feb 15, 2013 | 2 Comments | 1 min read

I have written (and rewritten) a blog about 2 proposed bills being sent to the 126th Maine Legislature about proposed changes in our current youth deer hunt. Here is the original blog with the bills, LD79 and LD101 explained. Currently, in Maine, youth hunters are between 10-15 and become adult hunters at 16. They are allowed to begin their season a week before Maine residence, who can start the last Saturday in October and must be with an adult. According to the Executive Director of the Sportman's Alliance of Maine, there are 16,000 youth deer hunters and their success rate is about 10%. The real issue that is being debated is, with...

Sharing the news with the family

By Erin M | Feb 8, 2013 | 4 Comments | 1 min read

On Christmas Eve, we told my parents. To say Dad was shocked is an understatement. This is the last entry for what it was like to be pregnant during hunting season. It is pretty surreal to think about the next hunting season and the fact that come November (or opening day), I will have a 5 month old. WOW!!!

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