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...
The Maine legislature begins its next session soon and while there are a bunch of wildlife bills being put forward to help keep Maine's wildlife safe and healthy, each year there is one argument that is heard over and over and over again - the desire for Sunday hunting in Maine. The law has been on the books since the 1800's and there have been bills to try and get it over turned but nothing has worked. Many people think that the law is outdated, needs to be changed and is costing Maine revenue from hunters who would come here to hunt. Here are the most common arguments heard for it: 1. People who work Monday-Friday only have Saturday to hunt 2. If you own the land, why can't you hunt on it whenever you want? I sat in a meeting...
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...
...having a deer bed down next to your tree stand. This bed was about 15 feet from the bottom of my stand. When I went out to see where the deer was that Hubby jumped, I noticed this. The deer were everywhere the guys were, but they just couldn't make a connection. Maybe next year!
What happens when you tag out in the first 30 minutes of deer season? You get bored and are done hunting. Hubby and Dad both needed to be elsewhere last weekend so we stayed out of the woods. This weekend though, I am going into the woods. I will bring my camera and play photographer but I may also bring my gun and look for some coyotes. We know they are around - we saw a ton of high traffic areas in the snow recently. The issue of coyotes came up recently in a weekly newsletter from the National Deer Alliance. The NDA is a new organization that was started by hunters and managers at the North American Whitetail Summit. The goal of the group is to get all deer hunters involved and talking about the...
It is pretty cool to be able to see a buck on the trail camera. This guy was caught on the camera on three different dates but almost at the same spot. It gives us a cool chance to see how his antlers are growing this season. This is the first time that we have been able to see the growth, to this extent over a one month period. I love deer season!!!
In case you missed it, here is the Podcast from Maine Points with my friend Mike Violette about hunting in Maine! Erin's discussion on hunting in Maine Enjoy and happy hunting! The first time I shot my 30-06 in 2007
Dad has been gathering and rotating the camera memory cards for about a month now hoping to get a picture of something we like. There are a group of does hanging around which we think are the same group that has been there for the past three of four years. We kept telling ourselves that 'where there are does, there are buck' but it's just not the same. Finally! We saw what we were looking for. Just two pictures but this one is good enough to get us ready to take to the woods. Bring on deer season! I called tibs on this guy! A nice eight-pointer walking...
Visiting a cemetery days after Memorial Day was surprisingly emotional for me. As I pushed my almost 1-year old in his stroller past the rows of stones, I was touched by the number of those sites that had American flags next to them. I thought about those who had given their lives for the freedoms that my son will enjoy. I also started thinking about an incredible family that I met at a Sportsmans show earlier this spring. Paul and Dee House turned their tragedy into something that I want to support and tell you about: There is some notoriety that you don't want to have. If you Google "Lee, Maine" you will find articles about the documentary "Welcome to Lee, Maine" and see that Lee is known for being the...
