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Hunting in Maine

Hunting in Maine

Oct 2015 2

Sure, I can shoot a bow

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Whitetail Deer | 1 Comment | 2 min read

A few weeks ago, Dad got his old bow out for us to play around with. He estimated that he hadn't shot it in about 40 years and he wasn't sure how good the string were so we were a little cautious. We had some rusty broadheads and smiled when we confirmed that we were all up to date on our tetanus shots. 40-ish year old broadheads I had never handled a bow, much less shot one. I was excited, nervous and cautious. Dad, being Dad, picked up the bow and drew back like he had just put it down yesterday. He may not want to admit it, but he is a natural outdoorsman. Look at that form! I don't know any see it.t archery but I know decent form when I see it. Dad shooting his bow Hubby, Dad and I got a hay bale out of the...

Sep 2015 21

I am a trapper! (hopefully)

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Maine Trapping | 1 Comment | 2 min read

By the time this post goes 'live' I hope that I can announce that I have passed my trapping education class! Over the past few years, I have been trying new things in the outdoor world (hello bear hunting) and one of the things that I wanted to know more about was trapping. I may never actually set a trap myself, but I think that in order for me to write authentically about it, I should know how to do it or have at least tried it. I plan to go out with a few friends this winter and see how they run their trap lines. I would love to come back with a martin or fisher but I want to know about it first. As a renewable resource that provides people with income in the winter months, trapping is one of those lost arts...

Sep 2015 14

Women’s hunting camp

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Maine Black Bear, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

In the Northern Maine woods, down a long dirt road surrounded by a beaver bog and thick, dense forests there was a small cabin without electricity, a phone or any sort of cell service. In that cabin, five outdoors women sat with their guns ready to kill Maine black bears. The swollen stream flowed past us at bear camp. The rain would start and stop during my time at camp and we would hold out breathe to find out if we would go out and hunt again or if we would be rained out and the bears that we came to hunt will continue to roam the woods and fields. Five of us were at bear camp and while we lead very different lives, our love of the outdoors and desire to hunt black bear have brought us together for these few days. ...

Sep 2015 7

I survived my first solo bear hunt

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Maine Black Bear | 1 Comment | 6 min read

Everything was going just fine until I realized that I had the wrong gun. I had packed everything that I would need and was getting comfortable with the idea of sitting by myself in the tree blind. It was 90 degrees. The odds of a bear coming in were really not good. Plus, when Steve dropped me off and checked the cameras, there were no pictures and the bait had not been touched. I was a little more relaxed about it but I was still weirded out about having the wrong gun. Me, my awesome Kryptek Helios top and the wrong 30-06 I'm couldn't believe that it happened. I had assumed that my gun was in my gun bag and switched it with the gun sitting right next to it. The different strap never registered when I grabbed the guns. I...

Sep 2015 4

Here goes a second season

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Maine Black Bear | 1 Comment | 1 min read

With these trail camera photos becoming a common occurrence, I am excited and still a little nervous for bear season. I have developed a very healthy respect for these animals and there is still some caution when I head into the woods to hunt one. Even if I do not get one, these photos are a clear indication that the bear population in Maine is healthy and thriving. These are not small bears and by the time we head into the woods, they will have had a few more weeks to put on...

Apr 2015 21

Name that scat

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Scat and Tracks | 1 Comment | 1 min read

We spent a few hours in the woods last weekend and I came across this pile of scat on the side of an old log. It almost looked like the mystery critter could sit on the log and use it as a toilet seat. Who left this behind? It looks like turkey poop but there is a pile of it and usually when have seen signs of turkey, they are more scattered and a little bit larger. These were the size of Cheetos puffs. So - what does it belong...

Jan 2015 31

Going rabbit hunting!

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Women Who Hunt | 2 Comments | 3 min read

The first of four snowstorms was on it's way when we headed into the woods. I was pretty sure that we could get a couple hours of rabbit hunting in before I had to head home. This would be my first attempt at small game hunting so I was excited and eager to find out how it was done. I met up with my cousin Hillary and her finance, Lance to go rabbit hunting with their three beagles. We loaded up our guns, snowshoes and gear onto snowmobiles and headed out to see if we could get some meat. Our first stop was a quick trip through a grown up boggy area. It was thick and there were not a lot of animal signs. The dogs could not find a scent so we moved on. The next stop was at the end of a random snowmobile...

Dec 2014 15

My goals for 2015

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Women Who Hunt | 8 Comments | 1 min read

In 2015, I have a few goals that I am hoping to finally accomplish. 1. Get a turkey! I came close last year, but I am hoping that the 3rd time is the charm. 2. Goose hunting. I had plans last year that fell through so I am hoping to try that this year. 3. Catch a 'keep-able' fish. 4. Go bear hunting again. I will never beat this year's hunt, but I can try. 5. Get that 8-pointer! 6. Go with biologists to a bear den. 7. Shoot a moose (this will be on my list each year until I do.) 8. Shoot a coyote. 9. Learn about trapping. I don't know if I will actually do it, but I want to go and see how it's done. What else should I add to my list? My too-small-to-keep salmon Turkey hunting My magnificent...

Oct 2014 17

A once in a lifetime Black Bear

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Maine Black Bear, Women Who Hunt | 5 Comments | 6 min read

I was glad that I had brought extra layers when we stepped into the 29 degree October air. It was going to be a perfect hunting day with bright sun, cool temps and a great view that showed off Maine's fall foliage. Tim Cote of Cote & Sons Guide Service was taking me out on a guided bear hunt with his friends Al, Scott and Scott's two boys. And Tim's six Walkers, pups Boy and Lady, Jill, Emma, Garth and Moose. We headed for the Maine woods when it was still dark out and as the first light was breaking, we turned off the paved road and started to head deeper into the woods on some old dirt roads. Tim let the dogs out to stretch and run around the truck as we slowly drove down the road. I was taking in the view and talking to Tim...

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Oct 2015 2

Sure, I can shoot a bow

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Whitetail Deer | 1 Comment | 2 min read

A few weeks ago, Dad got his old bow out for us to play around with. He estimated that he hadn't shot it in about 40 years and he wasn't sure how good the string were so we were a little cautious. We had some rusty broadheads and smiled when we confirmed that we were all up to date on our tetanus shots. 40-ish year old broadheads I had never handled a bow, much less shot one. I was excited, nervous and cautious. Dad, being Dad, picked up the bow and drew back like he had just put it down yesterday. He may not want to admit it, but he is a natural outdoorsman. Look at that form! I don't know any see it.t archery but I know decent form when I see it. Dad shooting his bow Hubby, Dad and I got a hay bale out of the...

Sep 2015 21

I am a trapper! (hopefully)

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Maine Trapping | 1 Comment | 2 min read

By the time this post goes 'live' I hope that I can announce that I have passed my trapping education class! Over the past few years, I have been trying new things in the outdoor world (hello bear hunting) and one of the things that I wanted to know more about was trapping. I may never actually set a trap myself, but I think that in order for me to write authentically about it, I should know how to do it or have at least tried it. I plan to go out with a few friends this winter and see how they run their trap lines. I would love to come back with a martin or fisher but I want to know about it first. As a renewable resource that provides people with income in the winter months, trapping is one of those lost arts...

Sep 2015 14

Women’s hunting camp

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Maine Black Bear, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

In the Northern Maine woods, down a long dirt road surrounded by a beaver bog and thick, dense forests there was a small cabin without electricity, a phone or any sort of cell service. In that cabin, five outdoors women sat with their guns ready to kill Maine black bears. The swollen stream flowed past us at bear camp. The rain would start and stop during my time at camp and we would hold out breathe to find out if we would go out and hunt again or if we would be rained out and the bears that we came to hunt will continue to roam the woods and fields. Five of us were at bear camp and while we lead very different lives, our love of the outdoors and desire to hunt black bear have brought us together for these few days. ...

Sep 2015 7

I survived my first solo bear hunt

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Maine Black Bear | 1 Comment | 6 min read

Everything was going just fine until I realized that I had the wrong gun. I had packed everything that I would need and was getting comfortable with the idea of sitting by myself in the tree blind. It was 90 degrees. The odds of a bear coming in were really not good. Plus, when Steve dropped me off and checked the cameras, there were no pictures and the bait had not been touched. I was a little more relaxed about it but I was still weirded out about having the wrong gun. Me, my awesome Kryptek Helios top and the wrong 30-06 I'm couldn't believe that it happened. I had assumed that my gun was in my gun bag and switched it with the gun sitting right next to it. The different strap never registered when I grabbed the guns. I...

Sep 2015 4

Here goes a second season

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Maine Black Bear | 1 Comment | 1 min read

With these trail camera photos becoming a common occurrence, I am excited and still a little nervous for bear season. I have developed a very healthy respect for these animals and there is still some caution when I head into the woods to hunt one. Even if I do not get one, these photos are a clear indication that the bear population in Maine is healthy and thriving. These are not small bears and by the time we head into the woods, they will have had a few more weeks to put on...

Apr 2015 21

Name that scat

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Scat and Tracks | 1 Comment | 1 min read

We spent a few hours in the woods last weekend and I came across this pile of scat on the side of an old log. It almost looked like the mystery critter could sit on the log and use it as a toilet seat. Who left this behind? It looks like turkey poop but there is a pile of it and usually when have seen signs of turkey, they are more scattered and a little bit larger. These were the size of Cheetos puffs. So - what does it belong...

Jan 2015 31

Going rabbit hunting!

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Women Who Hunt | 2 Comments | 3 min read

The first of four snowstorms was on it's way when we headed into the woods. I was pretty sure that we could get a couple hours of rabbit hunting in before I had to head home. This would be my first attempt at small game hunting so I was excited and eager to find out how it was done. I met up with my cousin Hillary and her finance, Lance to go rabbit hunting with their three beagles. We loaded up our guns, snowshoes and gear onto snowmobiles and headed out to see if we could get some meat. Our first stop was a quick trip through a grown up boggy area. It was thick and there were not a lot of animal signs. The dogs could not find a scent so we moved on. The next stop was at the end of a random snowmobile...

Dec 2014 15

My goals for 2015

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Women Who Hunt | 8 Comments | 1 min read

In 2015, I have a few goals that I am hoping to finally accomplish. 1. Get a turkey! I came close last year, but I am hoping that the 3rd time is the charm. 2. Goose hunting. I had plans last year that fell through so I am hoping to try that this year. 3. Catch a 'keep-able' fish. 4. Go bear hunting again. I will never beat this year's hunt, but I can try. 5. Get that 8-pointer! 6. Go with biologists to a bear den. 7. Shoot a moose (this will be on my list each year until I do.) 8. Shoot a coyote. 9. Learn about trapping. I don't know if I will actually do it, but I want to go and see how it's done. What else should I add to my list? My too-small-to-keep salmon Turkey hunting My magnificent...

Oct 2014 17

A once in a lifetime Black Bear

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Maine Black Bear, Women Who Hunt | 5 Comments | 6 min read

I was glad that I had brought extra layers when we stepped into the 29 degree October air. It was going to be a perfect hunting day with bright sun, cool temps and a great view that showed off Maine's fall foliage. Tim Cote of Cote & Sons Guide Service was taking me out on a guided bear hunt with his friends Al, Scott and Scott's two boys. And Tim's six Walkers, pups Boy and Lady, Jill, Emma, Garth and Moose. We headed for the Maine woods when it was still dark out and as the first light was breaking, we turned off the paved road and started to head deeper into the woods on some old dirt roads. Tim let the dogs out to stretch and run around the truck as we slowly drove down the road. I was taking in the view and talking to Tim...

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Enjoy these Hunting in Maine articles

Oct 2015 2

Sure, I can shoot a bow

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Whitetail Deer | 1 Comment | 2 min read

A few weeks ago, Dad got his old bow out for us to play around with. He estimated that he hadn't shot it in about 40 years and he wasn't sure how good the string were so we were a little cautious. We had some rusty broadheads and smiled when we confirmed that we were all up to date on our tetanus shots. 40-ish year old broadheads I had never handled a bow, much less shot one. I was excited, nervous and cautious. Dad, being Dad, picked up the bow and drew back like he had just put it down yesterday. He may not want to admit it, but he is a natural outdoorsman. Look at that form! I don't know any see it.t archery but I know decent form when I see it. Dad shooting his bow Hubby, Dad and I got a hay bale out of the...

Sep 2015 21

I am a trapper! (hopefully)

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Maine Trapping | 1 Comment | 2 min read

By the time this post goes 'live' I hope that I can announce that I have passed my trapping education class! Over the past few years, I have been trying new things in the outdoor world (hello bear hunting) and one of the things that I wanted to know more about was trapping. I may never actually set a trap myself, but I think that in order for me to write authentically about it, I should know how to do it or have at least tried it. I plan to go out with a few friends this winter and see how they run their trap lines. I would love to come back with a martin or fisher but I want to know about it first. As a renewable resource that provides people with income in the winter months, trapping is one of those lost arts...

Sep 2015 14

Women’s hunting camp

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Maine Black Bear, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

In the Northern Maine woods, down a long dirt road surrounded by a beaver bog and thick, dense forests there was a small cabin without electricity, a phone or any sort of cell service. In that cabin, five outdoors women sat with their guns ready to kill Maine black bears. The swollen stream flowed past us at bear camp. The rain would start and stop during my time at camp and we would hold out breathe to find out if we would go out and hunt again or if we would be rained out and the bears that we came to hunt will continue to roam the woods and fields. Five of us were at bear camp and while we lead very different lives, our love of the outdoors and desire to hunt black bear have brought us together for these few days. ...

Sep 2015 7

I survived my first solo bear hunt

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Maine Black Bear | 1 Comment | 6 min read

Everything was going just fine until I realized that I had the wrong gun. I had packed everything that I would need and was getting comfortable with the idea of sitting by myself in the tree blind. It was 90 degrees. The odds of a bear coming in were really not good. Plus, when Steve dropped me off and checked the cameras, there were no pictures and the bait had not been touched. I was a little more relaxed about it but I was still weirded out about having the wrong gun. Me, my awesome Kryptek Helios top and the wrong 30-06 I'm couldn't believe that it happened. I had assumed that my gun was in my gun bag and switched it with the gun sitting right next to it. The different strap never registered when I grabbed the guns. I...

Sep 2015 4

Here goes a second season

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Maine Black Bear | 1 Comment | 1 min read

With these trail camera photos becoming a common occurrence, I am excited and still a little nervous for bear season. I have developed a very healthy respect for these animals and there is still some caution when I head into the woods to hunt one. Even if I do not get one, these photos are a clear indication that the bear population in Maine is healthy and thriving. These are not small bears and by the time we head into the woods, they will have had a few more weeks to put on...

Apr 2015 21

Name that scat

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Scat and Tracks | 1 Comment | 1 min read

We spent a few hours in the woods last weekend and I came across this pile of scat on the side of an old log. It almost looked like the mystery critter could sit on the log and use it as a toilet seat. Who left this behind? It looks like turkey poop but there is a pile of it and usually when have seen signs of turkey, they are more scattered and a little bit larger. These were the size of Cheetos puffs. So - what does it belong...

Jan 2015 31

Going rabbit hunting!

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Women Who Hunt | 2 Comments | 3 min read

The first of four snowstorms was on it's way when we headed into the woods. I was pretty sure that we could get a couple hours of rabbit hunting in before I had to head home. This would be my first attempt at small game hunting so I was excited and eager to find out how it was done. I met up with my cousin Hillary and her finance, Lance to go rabbit hunting with their three beagles. We loaded up our guns, snowshoes and gear onto snowmobiles and headed out to see if we could get some meat. Our first stop was a quick trip through a grown up boggy area. It was thick and there were not a lot of animal signs. The dogs could not find a scent so we moved on. The next stop was at the end of a random snowmobile...

Dec 2014 15

My goals for 2015

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Women Who Hunt | 8 Comments | 1 min read

In 2015, I have a few goals that I am hoping to finally accomplish. 1. Get a turkey! I came close last year, but I am hoping that the 3rd time is the charm. 2. Goose hunting. I had plans last year that fell through so I am hoping to try that this year. 3. Catch a 'keep-able' fish. 4. Go bear hunting again. I will never beat this year's hunt, but I can try. 5. Get that 8-pointer! 6. Go with biologists to a bear den. 7. Shoot a moose (this will be on my list each year until I do.) 8. Shoot a coyote. 9. Learn about trapping. I don't know if I will actually do it, but I want to go and see how it's done. What else should I add to my list? My too-small-to-keep salmon Turkey hunting My magnificent...

Oct 2014 17

A once in a lifetime Black Bear

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Maine Black Bear, Women Who Hunt | 5 Comments | 6 min read

I was glad that I had brought extra layers when we stepped into the 29 degree October air. It was going to be a perfect hunting day with bright sun, cool temps and a great view that showed off Maine's fall foliage. Tim Cote of Cote & Sons Guide Service was taking me out on a guided bear hunt with his friends Al, Scott and Scott's two boys. And Tim's six Walkers, pups Boy and Lady, Jill, Emma, Garth and Moose. We headed for the Maine woods when it was still dark out and as the first light was breaking, we turned off the paved road and started to head deeper into the woods on some old dirt roads. Tim let the dogs out to stretch and run around the truck as we slowly drove down the road. I was taking in the view and talking to Tim...

Black Bear Hunt in Maine

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