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Adventures in the Woods

Adventures in the Woods

Apr 2026 14

It’s almost turkey time

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Eating Wild Game, Hunting in Maine, Hunting Tips and Tricks, Turkey Hunting, Wildlife Conservation, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

Spring in Maine brings a new energy that hunters recognize immediately. The snow begins to melt, streams swell with snowmelt, and the woods slowly wake from winter. For many hunters, one of the most anticipated signs of the season is the preparation and start of spring turkey hunting. The hunt is not just about harvesting a bird; it is a tradition rooted in patience, skill, and a deep connection to the woods and fields of Maine. The spring turkey season in Maine will begin soon; May 2nd in Maine for the Youth hunt and May 4th for the rest of us. At this time of year, toms and jakes are actively searching for hens. Their gobbling echoes across the fields and tree lines in the early morning hours. For many hunters, hearing that first...

Feb 2026 1

The impact of changing my hunting habits

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Hunting in Maine, Hunting Tips and Tricks, Maine Deer hunting, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Whitetail Deer, Women Who Hunt | 2 Comments | 3 min read

I have hit a point in my life where I can say that I have been hunting for longer than I haven’t. Each hunting season provides you with new experiences, new stories and opportunities to learn and be better than you were the year before. This past season, I found two ways that I have changed in my hunting habits since I started. Lesson 1: On opening day of the season, as first light broke, a slew of gun shots rang out. I think I counted 8. It was windy, the refreshing kind and not the chill-you-to-the-bone kind. I was grateful to be in the Sky Condo again. I scanned the woods but my eye caught movement off to my left. A deer was running at my stand. I froze as I watched it start to slow down as it closed the 100 yard gap. It was a...

Jan 2026 10

Having a good taxidermist is priceless

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Hunting in Maine, Maine Outdoors, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

Everything you need to know about a taxidermist comes from how they react when something goes wrong. When I got my Grand Slam in 2021, I wanted to get a half-mount for my bear. It was the first bear that I had trapped, and it had a white patch. I was very specific about how I wanted it; left paw forward to mimic the paw that had been trapped. I did the fan for my turkey feathers myself and then paid the taxidermist for a shoulder mount for my moose, and the antlers of my deer to be mounted. It’s those sorts of things that hunters spend money on to hold on to the memories of the hunt. Taxidermists play a huge role in making sure that happens. I got my bear back first. The right paw was forward and the stitching around the paws were very...

Aug 2025 12

Why do coyotes polarize us?

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Coyote Hunting, Hunting in Maine, Landowner relations, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Trail Camera Views, Wildlife Conservation, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

I had a pit in my stomach when I first saw the photo. I was ok with the bobcat behind my house. I loved having the fox around. But that coyote was an unwelcomed sight. To make matters worse, it was walking past my camera every night and every morning. Sometimes even during daylight hours. What is it about coyotes that causes us to have such polarizing gut reactions? I have hunted coyotes and I have seen them in the woods while I have been deer hunting. There are few things more unnerving than walking into your stand in the dark and hearing a coyote howl close by. The coyote on my trail camera was just too close to my house and looked too comfortable coming and going. I am not the only one who feels like this. The fur bearer management...

Feb 2025 3

Tree stand Trespassing

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Hunting in Maine, Landowner relations, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

Hunting property in this state can be hard to come by. I am aware of that. 94% of the land is privately owned. I have put posted signs on the land that Dad and I usually hunt on to informed trespassers that the land is actively being managed, watched and hunted on. I also have a tendency of posting trail camera photos of trespassers on my Facebook and IG pages. I have no problem making these people internet famous. In almost every situation that I have encountered, simple communication would have taken care of any property line confusion or permission being (or not being) granted. The number of hunters is declining every year. We need to get creative in how we encourage more people to join our ranks. But, sometimes things happen that...

Jan 2025 21

Sloppy shooting results in suffering

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Hunting in Maine, Maine Deer hunting, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Whitetail Deer, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

It was a miserable walk into the stand in the dark. Sheets of rain and wind pelted us as soon as we stepped out of the truck. Even though Dad had filled his buck tag, he was willing to head into a stand and hunt for a doe. We walked as quickly as we could to our respective stands and waited for daylight. I wondered if it was even worth being out because of how poor the conditions were. But, you can’t shoot a deer if you’re not in the woods. Around 7:30am, a deer hobbled into view and bedded down. It was dragging its right leg, not walking or putting weight on it. I know deer can survive with a broken leg but there is something about a wounded animal that just doesn’t sit right with me. I had both my buck and doe tag still in my...

Aug 2024 30

Welcome to Hunt & Harvest

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Hunting in Maine, Hunting Tips and Tricks, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Wildlife Conservation, Women Who Hunt | 6 Comments | 2 min read

When George Smith died three years ago, I lost one of my biggest cheerleaders. He was always trying to figure out how I could advance my outdoor writing career. He connected me with the editor at Downeast Magazine when they produced an issue all about hunting. My article was featured on the cover, and I was the center article. George published his book, "Maine Sporting Camps," one year before he was diagnosed. He asked me to write a chapter so that I could say that I was a published author. He was forever promoting me and encouraging me. When George died, the voice of the Maine's outdoors became quieter. Until now. It is with some emotion and excitement that I announce the launch of Hunt & Harvest. My monthly column will appear...

Jul 2024 2

Trail cameras bring early season excitement

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Hunting in Maine, Maine Outdoors, Trail Camera Views, Wildlife Conservation | 0 Comments | 1 min read

I leave my trail cameras out all year long. Photos of coyotes, deer, porcupines and racoons show up on my phone. But in the spring, those first trail camera photos of babies, cast off yearlings and bucks bring early season excitement to all of us. There is a fun uncertainty of what animals will show up in the photos. You don't have to be a hunter to enjoy getting a sneak peak into the woods around us. I think we can all enjoy the start of new life and new adventures.

Feb 2024 27

Two big bucks in one day

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Hunting in Maine, Maine Deer hunting, Maine Outdoors, Tree Stand Hunting, Whitetail Deer, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 2 min read

I listened to the ravens, crows and turkeys fight over the morning's gut pile. I was still giddy about my success as I climbed into the treestand, almost within sight of the Sky Condo. Motion to my right caught my eye and I saw a deer feeding on acorns. I lifted my rifle and peered through the scope, hopeful that I could punch my doe tag. My heart raced as I saw the antlers. I was looking at a buck as big or bigger than the one I had shot hours earlier. Two big bucks in one day! I calmed myself down and swapped my scope for my binoculars and paused. The buck I was now looking at was a large spikehorn. Where had that big buck gone? Where had this buck come from? Adjusting the binoculars, I saw the smaller buck make a circle and lay...

Show Me More Articles

Apr 2026 14

It’s almost turkey time

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Eating Wild Game, Hunting in Maine, Hunting Tips and Tricks, Turkey Hunting, Wildlife Conservation, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

Spring in Maine brings a new energy that hunters recognize immediately. The snow begins to melt, streams swell with snowmelt, and the woods slowly wake from winter. For many hunters, one of the most anticipated signs of the season is the preparation and start of spring turkey hunting. The hunt is not just about harvesting a bird; it is a tradition rooted in patience, skill, and a deep connection to the woods and fields of Maine. The spring turkey season in Maine will begin soon; May 2nd in Maine for the Youth hunt and May 4th for the rest of us. At this time of year, toms and jakes are actively searching for hens. Their gobbling echoes across the fields and tree lines in the early morning hours. For many hunters, hearing that first...

Feb 2026 1

The impact of changing my hunting habits

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Hunting in Maine, Hunting Tips and Tricks, Maine Deer hunting, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Whitetail Deer, Women Who Hunt | 2 Comments | 3 min read

I have hit a point in my life where I can say that I have been hunting for longer than I haven’t. Each hunting season provides you with new experiences, new stories and opportunities to learn and be better than you were the year before. This past season, I found two ways that I have changed in my hunting habits since I started. Lesson 1: On opening day of the season, as first light broke, a slew of gun shots rang out. I think I counted 8. It was windy, the refreshing kind and not the chill-you-to-the-bone kind. I was grateful to be in the Sky Condo again. I scanned the woods but my eye caught movement off to my left. A deer was running at my stand. I froze as I watched it start to slow down as it closed the 100 yard gap. It was a...

Jan 2026 10

Having a good taxidermist is priceless

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Hunting in Maine, Maine Outdoors, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

Everything you need to know about a taxidermist comes from how they react when something goes wrong. When I got my Grand Slam in 2021, I wanted to get a half-mount for my bear. It was the first bear that I had trapped, and it had a white patch. I was very specific about how I wanted it; left paw forward to mimic the paw that had been trapped. I did the fan for my turkey feathers myself and then paid the taxidermist for a shoulder mount for my moose, and the antlers of my deer to be mounted. It’s those sorts of things that hunters spend money on to hold on to the memories of the hunt. Taxidermists play a huge role in making sure that happens. I got my bear back first. The right paw was forward and the stitching around the paws were very...

Aug 2025 12

Why do coyotes polarize us?

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Coyote Hunting, Hunting in Maine, Landowner relations, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Trail Camera Views, Wildlife Conservation, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

I had a pit in my stomach when I first saw the photo. I was ok with the bobcat behind my house. I loved having the fox around. But that coyote was an unwelcomed sight. To make matters worse, it was walking past my camera every night and every morning. Sometimes even during daylight hours. What is it about coyotes that causes us to have such polarizing gut reactions? I have hunted coyotes and I have seen them in the woods while I have been deer hunting. There are few things more unnerving than walking into your stand in the dark and hearing a coyote howl close by. The coyote on my trail camera was just too close to my house and looked too comfortable coming and going. I am not the only one who feels like this. The fur bearer management...

Feb 2025 3

Tree stand Trespassing

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Hunting in Maine, Landowner relations, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

Hunting property in this state can be hard to come by. I am aware of that. 94% of the land is privately owned. I have put posted signs on the land that Dad and I usually hunt on to informed trespassers that the land is actively being managed, watched and hunted on. I also have a tendency of posting trail camera photos of trespassers on my Facebook and IG pages. I have no problem making these people internet famous. In almost every situation that I have encountered, simple communication would have taken care of any property line confusion or permission being (or not being) granted. The number of hunters is declining every year. We need to get creative in how we encourage more people to join our ranks. But, sometimes things happen that...

Jan 2025 21

Sloppy shooting results in suffering

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Hunting in Maine, Maine Deer hunting, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Whitetail Deer, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

It was a miserable walk into the stand in the dark. Sheets of rain and wind pelted us as soon as we stepped out of the truck. Even though Dad had filled his buck tag, he was willing to head into a stand and hunt for a doe. We walked as quickly as we could to our respective stands and waited for daylight. I wondered if it was even worth being out because of how poor the conditions were. But, you can’t shoot a deer if you’re not in the woods. Around 7:30am, a deer hobbled into view and bedded down. It was dragging its right leg, not walking or putting weight on it. I know deer can survive with a broken leg but there is something about a wounded animal that just doesn’t sit right with me. I had both my buck and doe tag still in my...

Aug 2024 30

Welcome to Hunt & Harvest

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Hunting in Maine, Hunting Tips and Tricks, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Wildlife Conservation, Women Who Hunt | 6 Comments | 2 min read

When George Smith died three years ago, I lost one of my biggest cheerleaders. He was always trying to figure out how I could advance my outdoor writing career. He connected me with the editor at Downeast Magazine when they produced an issue all about hunting. My article was featured on the cover, and I was the center article. George published his book, "Maine Sporting Camps," one year before he was diagnosed. He asked me to write a chapter so that I could say that I was a published author. He was forever promoting me and encouraging me. When George died, the voice of the Maine's outdoors became quieter. Until now. It is with some emotion and excitement that I announce the launch of Hunt & Harvest. My monthly column will appear...

Jul 2024 2

Trail cameras bring early season excitement

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Hunting in Maine, Maine Outdoors, Trail Camera Views, Wildlife Conservation | 0 Comments | 1 min read

I leave my trail cameras out all year long. Photos of coyotes, deer, porcupines and racoons show up on my phone. But in the spring, those first trail camera photos of babies, cast off yearlings and bucks bring early season excitement to all of us. There is a fun uncertainty of what animals will show up in the photos. You don't have to be a hunter to enjoy getting a sneak peak into the woods around us. I think we can all enjoy the start of new life and new adventures.

Feb 2024 27

Two big bucks in one day

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Hunting in Maine, Maine Deer hunting, Maine Outdoors, Tree Stand Hunting, Whitetail Deer, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 2 min read

I listened to the ravens, crows and turkeys fight over the morning's gut pile. I was still giddy about my success as I climbed into the treestand, almost within sight of the Sky Condo. Motion to my right caught my eye and I saw a deer feeding on acorns. I lifted my rifle and peered through the scope, hopeful that I could punch my doe tag. My heart raced as I saw the antlers. I was looking at a buck as big or bigger than the one I had shot hours earlier. Two big bucks in one day! I calmed myself down and swapped my scope for my binoculars and paused. The buck I was now looking at was a large spikehorn. Where had that big buck gone? Where had this buck come from? Adjusting the binoculars, I saw the smaller buck make a circle and lay...

Show Me More Articles

Enjoy these Adventures in the Woods articles

Apr 2026 14

It’s almost turkey time

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Eating Wild Game, Hunting in Maine, Hunting Tips and Tricks, Turkey Hunting, Wildlife Conservation, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

Spring in Maine brings a new energy that hunters recognize immediately. The snow begins to melt, streams swell with snowmelt, and the woods slowly wake from winter. For many hunters, one of the most anticipated signs of the season is the preparation and start of spring turkey hunting. The hunt is not just about harvesting a bird; it is a tradition rooted in patience, skill, and a deep connection to the woods and fields of Maine. The spring turkey season in Maine will begin soon; May 2nd in Maine for the Youth hunt and May 4th for the rest of us. At this time of year, toms and jakes are actively searching for hens. Their gobbling echoes across the fields and tree lines in the early morning hours. For many hunters, hearing that first...

Feb 2026 1

The impact of changing my hunting habits

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Hunting in Maine, Hunting Tips and Tricks, Maine Deer hunting, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Whitetail Deer, Women Who Hunt | 2 Comments | 3 min read

I have hit a point in my life where I can say that I have been hunting for longer than I haven’t. Each hunting season provides you with new experiences, new stories and opportunities to learn and be better than you were the year before. This past season, I found two ways that I have changed in my hunting habits since I started. Lesson 1: On opening day of the season, as first light broke, a slew of gun shots rang out. I think I counted 8. It was windy, the refreshing kind and not the chill-you-to-the-bone kind. I was grateful to be in the Sky Condo again. I scanned the woods but my eye caught movement off to my left. A deer was running at my stand. I froze as I watched it start to slow down as it closed the 100 yard gap. It was a...

Jan 2026 10

Having a good taxidermist is priceless

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Hunting in Maine, Maine Outdoors, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

Everything you need to know about a taxidermist comes from how they react when something goes wrong. When I got my Grand Slam in 2021, I wanted to get a half-mount for my bear. It was the first bear that I had trapped, and it had a white patch. I was very specific about how I wanted it; left paw forward to mimic the paw that had been trapped. I did the fan for my turkey feathers myself and then paid the taxidermist for a shoulder mount for my moose, and the antlers of my deer to be mounted. It’s those sorts of things that hunters spend money on to hold on to the memories of the hunt. Taxidermists play a huge role in making sure that happens. I got my bear back first. The right paw was forward and the stitching around the paws were very...

Aug 2025 12

Why do coyotes polarize us?

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Coyote Hunting, Hunting in Maine, Landowner relations, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Trail Camera Views, Wildlife Conservation, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

I had a pit in my stomach when I first saw the photo. I was ok with the bobcat behind my house. I loved having the fox around. But that coyote was an unwelcomed sight. To make matters worse, it was walking past my camera every night and every morning. Sometimes even during daylight hours. What is it about coyotes that causes us to have such polarizing gut reactions? I have hunted coyotes and I have seen them in the woods while I have been deer hunting. There are few things more unnerving than walking into your stand in the dark and hearing a coyote howl close by. The coyote on my trail camera was just too close to my house and looked too comfortable coming and going. I am not the only one who feels like this. The fur bearer management...

Feb 2025 3

Tree stand Trespassing

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Hunting in Maine, Landowner relations, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

Hunting property in this state can be hard to come by. I am aware of that. 94% of the land is privately owned. I have put posted signs on the land that Dad and I usually hunt on to informed trespassers that the land is actively being managed, watched and hunted on. I also have a tendency of posting trail camera photos of trespassers on my Facebook and IG pages. I have no problem making these people internet famous. In almost every situation that I have encountered, simple communication would have taken care of any property line confusion or permission being (or not being) granted. The number of hunters is declining every year. We need to get creative in how we encourage more people to join our ranks. But, sometimes things happen that...

Jan 2025 21

Sloppy shooting results in suffering

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Hunting in Maine, Maine Deer hunting, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Whitetail Deer, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

It was a miserable walk into the stand in the dark. Sheets of rain and wind pelted us as soon as we stepped out of the truck. Even though Dad had filled his buck tag, he was willing to head into a stand and hunt for a doe. We walked as quickly as we could to our respective stands and waited for daylight. I wondered if it was even worth being out because of how poor the conditions were. But, you can’t shoot a deer if you’re not in the woods. Around 7:30am, a deer hobbled into view and bedded down. It was dragging its right leg, not walking or putting weight on it. I know deer can survive with a broken leg but there is something about a wounded animal that just doesn’t sit right with me. I had both my buck and doe tag still in my...

Aug 2024 30

Welcome to Hunt & Harvest

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Hunting in Maine, Hunting Tips and Tricks, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Wildlife Conservation, Women Who Hunt | 6 Comments | 2 min read

When George Smith died three years ago, I lost one of my biggest cheerleaders. He was always trying to figure out how I could advance my outdoor writing career. He connected me with the editor at Downeast Magazine when they produced an issue all about hunting. My article was featured on the cover, and I was the center article. George published his book, "Maine Sporting Camps," one year before he was diagnosed. He asked me to write a chapter so that I could say that I was a published author. He was forever promoting me and encouraging me. When George died, the voice of the Maine's outdoors became quieter. Until now. It is with some emotion and excitement that I announce the launch of Hunt & Harvest. My monthly column will appear...

Jul 2024 2

Trail cameras bring early season excitement

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Hunting in Maine, Maine Outdoors, Trail Camera Views, Wildlife Conservation | 0 Comments | 1 min read

I leave my trail cameras out all year long. Photos of coyotes, deer, porcupines and racoons show up on my phone. But in the spring, those first trail camera photos of babies, cast off yearlings and bucks bring early season excitement to all of us. There is a fun uncertainty of what animals will show up in the photos. You don't have to be a hunter to enjoy getting a sneak peak into the woods around us. I think we can all enjoy the start of new life and new adventures.

Feb 2024 27

Two big bucks in one day

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Hunting in Maine, Maine Deer hunting, Maine Outdoors, Tree Stand Hunting, Whitetail Deer, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 2 min read

I listened to the ravens, crows and turkeys fight over the morning's gut pile. I was still giddy about my success as I climbed into the treestand, almost within sight of the Sky Condo. Motion to my right caught my eye and I saw a deer feeding on acorns. I lifted my rifle and peered through the scope, hopeful that I could punch my doe tag. My heart raced as I saw the antlers. I was looking at a buck as big or bigger than the one I had shot hours earlier. Two big bucks in one day! I calmed myself down and swapped my scope for my binoculars and paused. The buck I was now looking at was a large spikehorn. Where had that big buck gone? Where had this buck come from? Adjusting the binoculars, I saw the smaller buck make a circle and lay...

Show Me More Articles