A Bird (or Moose) in the Hand

September came to a quick end. Only five days remained in the fall fishing season and the first week of moose hunting stared us square in the face. We shifted in to overdrive! Ray Dunning dragged his feet packing, enjoyed a coffee on the deck, and grudgingly headed south to Bangor to catch his flight back to Georgia. We’d enjoyed a week with Ray, caught some amazing brook trout, and relaxed a bit between the end of bear season and start of moose. Even before Ray drove out of The County on the 25th, our moose hunters began arriving…Bill Frye and his dad Joe were scheduled to hunt a cow moose in WMD3, guided by Wayne. Denny Roberston and his son moved in for a WMD2 cow hunt, followed by Allen Fuller, his dad Roy, and family friend the legendary bear guide Sonny Wade for a WMD3 bull. Allen’s sub-permitee, Tom Richmond, was unable to make the trip due to a family emergency at home – unfortunately the annual Maine moose hunt waits for no one. Matt Farrington and his party got settled before scouting for a WMD2 cow and Tate Stevens and his son got right to scouting WMD2 for a bull. Mike Duni arrived “in camp” to help where needed and do some fishing – Mike took me on a successful whitetail hunt last year at his farm in Unity – I owe him some fantastic fishing! It was a beautiful, sunny and mild day so Wayne took advantage of the weather to cut the grass, one last time for the season, we hoped! Bill, being a commercial lobsterman, treated us to a feed of lobsters for dinner. With so many lobsters to eat we invited the Stevens to join us at the lodge for dinner.

Opening day of September moose season and all were out of camp early well before sunrise. With no hunter to guide I was left behind to take care of things at the lodge. Mike and I made breakfast for “dad” (Joe Frye). It was a beautiful morning so Mike and I took advantage by relaxing with our coffee on the deck after breakfast. The lodge deck is my favorite place to start each morning. I often plan my whole day around “my time” on the deck savoring the warmth of the rising sun and drinking in coffee along with the serenity of the lake, its loons, eagles, and mountains. After that I can take on anything the day throws my way! Around 9:30 I told Mike that if anyone had early-morning success, they’d be returning soon…moments later we heard a pick up in the driveway - Wayne and Bill pulled in with a beautiful cow! Bill shot her at 6:05 a.m., minutes in to the hunt and just as he dreamed. We hung the 722 lb. cow on the game pole, and gave her a shower – she was caked in mud! It had been a bit of an adventure just getting her loaded – Bill shot her in a cutting that was a soupy mess after this year’s rain. While Wayne was setting up the rigging to haul Bill’s cow out, Bill went in to help, lost his balance, and lost his leg! Wayne found him trying to regain his footing while his leg was afloat in the ditch! It was at that moment, much to Wayne’s surprise, that he learned Bill had a prosthetic leg. We noticed Bill’s limp but lots of people limp and Bill, being an able-bodied fisherman, had learned to function quite well – he didn’t find the leg to be a hindrance so never mentioned it to us. If it had not been for that instance we might never have known of Bill’s prosthetic leg. Bill was a good sport and laughed right alongside Wayne as the story was told back at the lodge!

After prepping dinner I took Mike to a “secret” fishing spot. It was calm and as the sun began to set behind the trees we started catching fish. Mike landed a beautifully colored, hook-jawed brook trout that weighed nearly 2 lbs.

Matt Farrington got us out of bed on the 27th. He had a cow down and needed help getting her out of the woods. We loaded our ATV, drove in the Wallagrass Road and there, about 2 ½ miles in, he’d shot a cow that ran through the water-filled gravel pit and went down in the woods on the other side. Our CanAm had no trouble pulling her down off the gravel embankment, through the mud and water, and out to the awaiting pick ups. That afternoon Allen Fuller called in a bull but it never presented a shot, and the Stevens got a handsome, 53” bull 10 miles in on the Wallagrass Road.

Moose week weather was unseasonably warm and sunny. We all enjoyed story-telling on the deck in the afternoon. It was there that we learned of the many connections we all have to each other – Joe used to work with Sonny, Tom booked the hunt for Allen and Allen was the best-man in Shane Savage’s wedding – I went to guide school with Shane. Mike and Roy are neighbors but neither knew the other would be at Fish River Lodge! Tate Stevens owns a gun shop in central Maine that all are familiar with. Mike and I fished every night of his stay and every night we caught beautiful brook trout. Some we kept, some we let go to grow another year. Matt shared the heart from his cow – Wayne sautéed it for all to try on the 28th then we watched the stunning defeat of the Red Sox while Tampa Bay beat the Yankees to clinch the wild card.

Mike, Bill, and Joe left on the 29th. Wayne and I packed a lunch and took a ride, enjoying a beautiful fall day. There, in a small clear-cut, stood a beautiful bull as we drove by! Being the middle of the day it was unlikely anyone would see the bull as most hunters were on “lunch break”. We hurried back to the lodge, knowing Allen was at camp for lunch. We devised a plan: Wayne would take Allen back out to where the bull was last seen and try to call him in. I would later take Roy and Sonny out to participate in the gutting and hauling process if all went according to plan. Wayne and Allen left…then we drove in. On the way in we caught up to a pick up. Worrying the truck may travel the same road and area Wayne was working and mess up “the plan”, I got right on the tail of the truck, hoping it would let me by. The closer I got, the faster the truck in front of me went. We were careening down the gravel roads, dust and rocks flying but the truck wouldn’t pull over! I was cussing at the SOB, with a kayak on his truck that had to be in such a darned hurry to get “no where” (there’s no water to kayak back there!). Roy and Sonny thought it was all pretty amusing, but I was serious, I didn’t want that truck to screw up Allen’s chance on that bull. I just had to get in front of that truck, or get him to pull over so I could pass…but we raced on. By then we assumed he may have been scouting for another party of moose hunters and would surely understand – but he wouldn’t stop. The road I wanted was coming up fast to my right. I kept on his tail and at the last second, turned. He went straight… Ahhh…all would be well and at least for the time being we could “protect” the road. We parked at the bottom of the hill to listen for a shot or for Wayne to call on the radio. The truck returned and spent some time talking with others in a red pick up – just as we thought – they must be working together. That’s cool, but we couldn’t block the road so I was relieved when they left. Then we heard a shot! Allen must have shot! We waited at the bottom of the hill for instructions from Wayne. In the mean time the truck came back and pulled in behind us. I would let him by if he insisted, especially since we heard the shot – hopefully a bull was down. I got out of the truck to go introduce myself, apologize for the tailgating, and explain “the plan”. As I rounded the open door of his pick up and glanced inside, all that came out of my mouth was, “Oh, you’re a game warden. Sorry for tailgating you but I was” and then I was immediately cut off for a lengthy line of questioning by Warden Stone. Once he was comfortable that we weren’t breaking any game laws we all proceeded up the hill to meet Wayne. It wasn’t Allen who’d shot. It was the hunter from the red pick up – he’d shot and missed a cow traveling with the bull Wayne was calling. The hunt was blown and as usually happens with quickly laid plans – they don’t pan out.

Allen had a couple “close calls” on bulls as the week progressed but his hunt had to end on October 1st, the last day of the first week of moose. Wayne went out with Allen one last time while Roy and Sonny packed to head home. They would meet Allen in the woods, pick him up, and then head south. Of course, if they killed a bull Saturday morning that plan would change…and it did! At 7 a.m. Wayne called – Allen had a bull down! I collected Roy and Sonny and we drove out to meet the guys as they were gutting and loading the moose. Allen was so relieved that he’d filled his tag, even if it was the last day of the hunt. We were relieved too because it is a shame to see hunters leave Fish River Lodge with unfilled moose tags. Our motto “Don’t Ever Quit” saved the day, again!

On the 2nd I traveled to Augusta to attend a meeting at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Our group is examining why non-resident hunting license sales are down and to develop proposals to increase sales. There are some obvious reasons, some reasons beyond our control and solutions that we can recommend. We must have a final report prepared by December 1. You can follow our progress on the department’s web site if you’re interested…

Upland bird season opened October 1st so we had a group of hunters in the first week: Lon Ruddock (RI), Boyd, Kevin Harris, Vicky Foster, Mike and Sue. The first two days of their hunt were rainy, the next two windy making for a challenging hunt for humans and hounds. My daughter Miranda, son-in-law Tyler, and grand daughters Acadia and Nellie; and their friends Jen, Mike, Kayne, Maddison, and Seth arrived to celebrate Nellie’s 2nd birthday on the 6th. The birthday party arrived just in time for a spaghetti dinner, cake, and ice cream. Nellie opened presents and the kids enjoyed their party surprises: silly-string; monster teeth; and chocolate eyeballs, noses, ears and fingers!

We woke to a heavy frost on the 7th. I loaded all the kids in my pick up and we headed to Hedgehog Mountain for a hike. We took compass readings of the lakes and mountains visible from the summit. Later we identified them on a map using the readings we took. Tyler and Mike went bird hunting with Cedar (one of Gracie’s puppies – now 18 mos. old). After our hike I took the kids target shooting with Acadia’s Red Rider BB gun. They first shot at paper targets, perfecting their shooting form and developing their sight pictures. Then we had a “Top Shots” contest – we set up plastic bottles and cans and each kid had one shot to knock over a target. The first round each one of my “Top Shots” hit his or her target in one shot! I had four shooters and four hits! I promised them we would go grouse hunting the next day. That night we all attended a bon fire at the neighbor’s. It was warm and sunny again on the 8th. I enjoyed coffee on the deck with Lon Ruddock before he left for home. I learned Vicky Foster shot a “double” on grouse – these are very difficult wing-shots to make and few hunters ever accomplish a double on grouse in a lifetime! That afternoon I took the girls (Miranda, Nellie, Acadia, and Maddison) and Wayne took the boys (Kayne and Seth) and we went huntin’. Our goal was for the kids to experience an Aroostook County grouse hunt and to bring home a few grouse for dinner. After shooting the first grouse I asked the girls if the second grouse we found should be passed up. “NO!” they exclaimed and then Acadia reminded me that I’d said to never let a good grouse get away. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush – we would have grouse for dinner!

We met the boys back at the lodge and among us we had 8 grouse for dinner. Everyone pitched in the “processing line” to breast the grouse and save their tail fans. Wayne made a delicious garlic white sauce to which we added sautéed grouse and served it over spaghetti. We all loved it – I declared the kids were “official” hunters having participated in the hunt, prepared and eaten what we’d killed.

All our bird hunters left on the 9th while our moose hunters moved in. We had only two parties: Richard “Knute” Knuteson (ME) guided by Wayne, and Tom O’Hearn (MA) who hunted on his own. That night we hosted a dinner party for Tom Roy and 16 of his guests. We started the meal off with smoked brook trout, cream cheese, and crackers while guests enjoyed a warm evening on the deck. The Knutesons and John Medina joined the party. We served char-grilled steak, rosemary roast pork loin, herb roast potatoes, candied carrots, and Maine blueberry crisp. Tristen Ripley and a friend attending UMFK along with the Rebels (AZ) were “in camp” for the long Columbus Day weekend.

The Rebels took a canoe out for a sunset paddle as the moon rose on the 10th. The silvery moon and golden foliage was gorgeous as it reflected on the lake.

With no clients of my own to guide I was designated chief cook and dish washer. The Knutesons hunted hard with Wayne all week. They had some chances but just couldn’t capitalize on the opportunities. For everything there is a reason – we all agreed the chance would come in due time…but as the week wore on it seemed less and less likely their tag would be filled. Being ones to “never quit”, Wayne remained positive and encouraging, reminding the Knutesons to stick with it despite early mornings, long days, and late dinners. On the 14th I borrowed neighbor Mike Michaud’s truck to help look for bulls (my truck was in the shop and we needed radio communication). No moose Friday either but we enjoyed meeting up with Pat and Lee, guides from Fort Fairfield who were trying to get their client a cow. He’d shot at two already but had not yet killed one.

Finally, late in the afternoon on Saturday, a beautiful 41” bull presented himself for a perfect broadside shot! Everyone was SO relieved the hunt was over, even if it took until 4:45 p.m. on Saturday – the latest we’d ever had hunters out. Tom O’Hearn went back to Massachusetts on Wednesday with no moose – he had quit. We will always wonder, had he hunted all week would his tag been filled? Sunday morning, after breakfast, we loaded the Knuteson’s bull on our pick up. They followed us to Ashland to tag it, and then we dropped it off at SPW Meat Cutting in Mapleton. We waved good-bye to the Knutesons as they headed east out of Mapleton and we headed west. We stopped in Portage to drop off Lisa Marner’s and my bears for tanning at Eldon Jandreau’s Custom Taxidermy. We missed Eldon but met trapper and guide, Phil Allen. He’d just trapped a handsome boar with a prime coat. We had a great visit before heading home where we stoked the woodstove and settled in to watch football all afternoon. After weeks of guiding and entertaining non-stop, we’d earned an afternoon off…

We’re between seasons until the 5th. No grouse hunters this week and we must wait for the arrival of our deer and November moose hunters. We’re adjusting to what most would consider “normal”: real jobs, with real hours, and days off. It’s kind of nice I suppose, to eat dinner together - Wayne and me - at a reasonable hour; but I’d rather we were guiding hunters!

October continues to be mild. We’ve had only a couple of hard frosts and daytime highs have been in the 50s. The leaves are mostly gone from the trees now so it looks like “deer season” but looking back, where did our favorite season go? It seems like we just got started!

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Bountiful Banquet for Bears

Our bear hunters were challenged with unseasonably warm temperatures and abundant natural foods this year. Although bears were consistently hitting our baits, our baits were just dessert at the end of a very full buffet table. First-week hunters braved other challenges as hurricane Irene battered the east coast delaying their arrival: Mike Farrell, Bob Watkins, Mike Stefanic, and Ronnie Jacobs dealt with flooding at home, downed trees, and closed travel routes. Al “X-Bow” Anza arrived on schedule August 28th and hunkered down with us as we expected high winds and heavy rain overnight. We set out 5 gallon buckets to collect rain water in preparation for power outages and pulled our boat out of the water – one less thing to worry about.

Opening day of bear season was a bit anticlimactic with only one hunter in camp and the anticipated hurricane drying up. Others arrived throughout the day. Darrell Dube shot a nice 200 lb. boar off Mike Michaud’s bait Monday night. Al Anza shot at a bear on Tuesday – it got away relatively unharmed but as we looked for his bear we found a “collection” of our 5 gallon buckets in a big tangle of downed trees beyond the bait site! Later in the week Al killed a young boar and so did Bob Watkins, both using crossbows. Bob used his “Ready Shot” shooting stick designed for tree stand and ground blind hunters. It rests gently on the knee and vertically adjusts with a 360 degree top swivel. Check it out at www.Ready-Shot.com .

Throughout the week our trail cameras showed bears feeding between 9 pm and 2 am. We tried some morning hunts with limited success. By week’s end our hunters had enjoyed several moose sightings, listened to moose calling, and seen a few bears at their sites. All went home with bears – either packed in coolers or printed as photos.

Roger and Karen Allard, Cliff and Ann Baker, and Arlene Cloutier were RVing over the Labor Day holiday weekend. They stopped at the lodge for daily visits and “bear reports”. Bill and Kathy Bernier were also “in camp” for their annual two-week vacation.

Our second-week hunters began arriving on September 4th. Al Gardiner arrived first and set his “trap line” for small mammals he will collect for the National Museum in Washington, D.C. Bob O’Connor, Pat Dolan, Teri and David Labbe, and George and Rachel Skolfield (mom & dad) were all in camp in time to enjoy David’s lobsters. He brought enough to feed an army – an army of Donut Guards! Duane and Tom Webber arrived Monday with the rain, and it rained all day. Not necessarily good for hunting but my guys (David, George, Duane, and Tom) agreed you can’t shoot bears at camp – they hunted and did a terrific job guarding donuts.

Ernie & Paula Smith delighted one and all with Ernie’s bag piping on the 6th. They marched in while Ernie piped, surprising the Labbes and Skolfields – friends from the days of camp ownership in Greenville. After a quick visit our hunters headed out. Dad watched a bear cruise his bait site. He patiently watched and waited, set the cross-hairs of his scope on the bear, and recited “let the bear go to the bucket”. The bear approached the bucket…and kept on walking, never to be seen again. Although we lecture our hunters on being patient, letting bears get to the bucket before shooting, we changed our strategy – if you get a chance, shoot the bear! Duane shot at a bear on Wednesday but all we found after following up his shots were tracks in the mud. Al watched a bear stroll through his site but didn’t take a shot.

On the morning of the 7th I lead a group to see the “big tree” in Wallagrass. All noted how little foliage had changed and how wet the woods were. It’s been so rainy Wayne I and don’t even take note of it anymore. It has become quite common place – rather, we rejoice when the sun shines.

We tried everything to entice bears – short baiting, smoke sticks, peanuts…If the smoke sticks don’t bring in bear they sure entertained our hunters. Duane reported some “excitement” at his site after the plastic chimney he was using caught fire and melted. He quickly climbed down from his stand, put the fire out, and buried the chimney. Of course there was plenty of raspberry incense residue on the melted plastic so while we slept a bear visited the site dug it up! I found dad’s Pringle can “chimney” chewed up a couple of times. Obviously the bears like the scent but are too far off the sites during legal shooting hours to be drawn in. “Late bears” with full bellies prove once again that hunting over bait is not as easy as most would think. Since Bob O’Connor never got a shot at a bear, Sunday morning he let me “unload” the musket he was using to hunt. That .54 cal. smokin’ thunder stick was nearly as tall as me but sweet to shoot! Sadly we said “so-long” to our hunters as they slowly departed, until we meet again…then we scrambled to get ready for the third week of bear! I set my bear trap on the 11th at the same site I tried trapping last year. This year Al Anza killed the young bear that kept firing my trap and eluding capture last year. That was all good because I was after the much larger bear we’d photographed on the site.

The Rabers (Mathias and Elias and their families), The Marners, and Brian Peters arrived on the 11th. They planned their bear hunt as a family vacation in Maine with wives and children. The lodge and grounds were joyful with the sounds of children playing and hunters anticipating their hunt. Angelina and Lisa Marner, Marcus’s teenage daughters, both hunted. We divided up our groups and as the week progressed things played out much the same as they had the previous two weeks. Bears presented only brief opportunities for hunters to take shots or visited sites only after dark.

On the 12th we tried a morning hunt and while my guys were out I checked my trap. It hadn’t been hit so I sprayed it down with anise oil to set for another day. Mathias saw a bear, Brian watched grouse strut at his site.

The Marners went fishing Tuesday morning, my guys hunted. Again, while they were on stand I checked my trap. This time it had a bear! I was surprised when I walked in to see the site tore up and a decent, but not large bear, caught! This was my first trapped bear and very exciting – I wished I’d been able to share the experience but it was also a solemn time for me alone to thank the bear for giving himself up to nourish us throughout the winter months. After loading the bear in the truck I stowed it in a stream until my hunters were all accounted for. Temps were in the 70s and had we needed to track a wounded bear, hours might have passed before I got my bear skinned and cooled down.

Mid week arrived and none of our hunters had killed bear. 12 year-old Lori Marner sat out with Brian Peters to experience the thrill of hunting bears from a ground blind and got to video tape one on her first night out!

Becky Marner celebrated her 6th birthday at Fish River Lodge on the 14th. Then, on the 15th, Lisa Marner shot a beautiful boar from a ground blind while sitting with her dad. She passed on a small bear that walked in early but later in the sit a larger boar came. Darkness fell early and the rain came down. They were unable to find Lisa’s bear in the dark. Early the next morning Lisa, Marcus, Wayne, Brian, and I headed in to search. We found the bear had run about 70 yards down in to a deep gully before dropping. Unfortunately, it appeared a fisher had beaten us to the find – a large section of rib cage had been exposed and chewed on as well as the bear’s nose.

Elias and Dave tried calling bears at week’s end. Even that didn’t work! On the 17th I made a bear stew and bread pudding. Everyone would go home with bear – stew! Since the families had arrived from Pennsylvania, Missouri, Indiana, and Ontario, after Saturday dinner they packed and started their trek – closing the distance on home. The Fish River Lodge family has grown to include the Rabers, Marners, and Brian Peters. Again, we sadly said “so long” and “God bless”, until we meet again.

Wayne fired up the woodstove for the first time of the season on the 18th. Ray Dunning arrived on the 19th for a week of fall fishing and real estate hunting. Wayne and Ray caught a mess of beautiful brook trout on the 21st, two of the fish weighing 3 lbs each! They were delicious smoked, with cream cheese and crackers!

Joe and Julie Morandi stayed with us the weekend of the 24th. John Pelletier took them muskie fishing on the St. John where they caught muskie in the 36” and larger range.

Faded fall foliage peaked while nature’s bountiful banquet provided sustenance to the animals of the forest. It caused hunting bears to be a challenge but they will hibernate with thick layers of fat to sustain them through the winter and give us renewed hope for next season. Our Fish River Lodge family continues to grow with new memories created for stories to be shared long after everyone returned home. September neared its end with bear behind and moose ahead…

Summer's Brief Visit

It seemed the entire month of June brought rain. If the day didn’t begin with rain it ended that way, or it just plain rained all day soaking us with a total of 11” in 30 days. Never letting a dreary day dampen our spirits we continued with outdoor activities just the same. Wayne & I snuck away for an afternoon of fishing at Silver Lake on the 4th. We were rewarded with a beautiful catch of brook trout, the shortest of the six 12 1/2 ”! Too big to eat in one sitting, we smoked two and froze the others for another time. Mark Bartlett, his son and a friend were up to fish through June 15th. With all the rain the fishing was slow but I think they enjoyed the relaxed pace of being “away from it all”. Bill Dunning and his wife stayed through the end of the month. During their stay they enjoyed some sight-seeing, fishing, boating, and entertaining their son Ray and his wife Daria. The four had dinner with us in the lodge and became fast friends. Susan Smith and her husband celebrated their October wedding with a week-long stay at Fish River Lodge beginning June 11. They brought their sail boat – so pretty on Eagle Lake where we rarely see sails! Jan Hagan (Colorado) treated her son Griffin to a relaxing long weekend. Griffin is working in Madawaska this summer after completing his junior year at the University of Maine. Jan’s family is originally from Mapleton so her visit was a “homecoming” of sorts.

June 12th was one of the few days that treated us to crystal blue sky all day. Wayne finished repairing the siding on cabin #7 and then painted it. That afternoon we hosted the 1st Annual Fish River Lodge Youth Derby. “Team Mahvelous” (Ali Daigle & Tianna Thibodeau) outfished “Team La-Z-Boys” (Chris Daigle & Joey Oaks) by landing a brook trout and salmon with lengths totaling 25 ½”. After the derby they fished off the dock and caught lots of perch and chubs which we grilled – chubs aren’t bad – “they taste like Montreal steak seasoning,” commented Steve Daigle - hmmm. As the sun set we built a campfire, toasted marshmallows for s’mores, listened to the loons and kids laughing until bedtime. Sunday was equally as beautiful. We watched a deer swim across the lake from Oak Point.

In the evening we took excursions looking for wildlife. Bear and deer have been plentiful during June as they feed on the roadside grasses. We started seeing cow moose with newborn calves as the month progressed.

On June 25th we helped the Blair family of Eagle Lake celebrate the retirement of Ray and wife Mary as the reins of Chopper One were handed to son Jeff. Family and friends gathered for a social and dinner party at the lodge. We have no doubt Jeff will continue the successful operation of the family logging business.

The annual gathering of our 4th of July guests arrived and with it, a stretch of beautiful weather, finally. The Cavert, Devoe, and Chasse families got to meet owners John and Mary Lu Medina during the week. The Medina’s got to experience “trash can turkey”: a Fish River Lodge tradition they had read about in the lodge journal. After we feasted on John’s famous turkey and everyone’s delicious salads and desserts, we headed back to the beach for a fireworks display that rivaled those of some small towns! The Weatherbys are new to our 4th of July family and fit right in. We look forward to their return next year. “Bailey”, The Medina’s Brittany spaniel has become a perfect little lodge dog, joining Grace and Alli at water’s edge and befriending our guests. Gloria Labrecque and her father Lou Levesque returned again this summer. It was a difficult trip to make; Germaine - Gloria’s mother and Lou’s loving wife - had passed away since their last visit. Gloria and her dad reminisced, visited, and relaxed during their stay but we all missed Germaine.

Mike & Karen Bolduc were back for a week’s stay after missing a couple of years – it was sure good to have them back and catch up on all that’s being going on. Dave and Melissa Smey, and their Westie “Sophie” made their annual trek north. They enjoyed canoeing, hiking, and an evening at the fair in Presque Isle. Sophie enjoyed a moose leg bone, an unusual treat for a dog from Brooklyn, New York!

Wayne’s mom and aunt joined us for a brief, but special visit when they brought Lloyd all the way from Florida to see a moose. Lloyd is 91 years young and fascinated us with stories of his family building the railroad from South Carolina to Florida. He was a typical southern gentleman and it was an honor to make his wish of seeing moose come true.

My grand daughter Acadia spent two weeks at Fish River Lodge at the end of July. We hiked, fished, canoed, swam, visited “the big tree” (the State’s largest cedar tree), and on our wildlife-watching outings saw bear, moose, deer, and even a lynx! Acadia didn’t want to leave, nor did I want her to go. She’s my little “sidekick” and our times together are too few and brief. She’s already planning a return trip in October to go bird hunting. While she was here my boss (Steve Daigle) and I planned an “Adventure Camp” weekend. Acadia and her new-found friends spent the weekend of the 23rd swimming, catching frogs, fishing, and just plain having summer fun as only kids can! Mom and dad were up and we celebrated mom’s birthday with entertainment provided by the kids. They each recited “Your momma’s so old…” jokes then we all joined in to sing “happy birthday” much to mom’s delight!

Wayne & I each got to sneak away from the lodge on alternate weekends to head down-state to visit family and friends. Alice Gove and family arrived the weekend I departed and were entertained the morning I left when I locked myself out of the pickup while packing. I hate automatic door locks! After a brief delay I got on the road for a quick visit with my sister and niece Sam who were out visiting from Colorado. We celebrated dad’s birthday with a trip to the Maine Wildlife park in Gray. Visiting the park is a tradition that goes back to when Heidi and I were kids. It was pure joy to visit the park as a family again with mom and dad, but especially with our own daughters and my two grand daughters as we carry on the tradition with another generation.

Cristine Tardiff of New York brought her husband and daughter to Eagle Lake during the first week of August. Christine’s dad grew up in Eagle Lake. She and her husband had vacationed here many years ago and wanted to share the experience with their daughter – another “homecoming” and passing along of tradition.

John Medina and Company built a big new garage on the property. They put it up in a week then Mary Lu stained all the siding “camp brown” to match the other buildings on the property. It is big! John says he always builds bigger than needed but manages to fill his structures any way!

“The Wolf Pack” (my daughter Miranda and friends…Mattie, Jennifer, Jes, Casey, and Audrey) made Fish River Lodge their base of operations August 5th through the 8th. Eagle Lake will never be the same! Designated “pack leader” I took them on an excursion to see “the big tree” and hike at Duboulie. We went moose watching and star gazing. That was all “tame” entertainment by day. At night the wolves let loose with libations and laughter and fun. Saturday night Grant and Paula took the pack on a lake cruise. A violent thunder storm interrupted the trip but got the party on the deck going early. That party lasted well in to the evening (early next morning?) They’re already planning next year’s trip!

Our last “summer vacationers” were the Polland family who were up scouting moose. Jeff will return to hunt moose in November. Spring fisherman Larry Converse returned with his family – wife, daughters and grand daughters for a long weekend. He treated us to lobsters, corn-on-the-cob and tomatoes from his garden. And Alvey and Herve Pelletier returned too. Herve, 94 years young, is originally from Eagle Lake. He, Al and Kasie Converse provided delightful entertainment one evening with their guitars and harmonica.

Looking back, summer seemed to pass much too quickly. It came late after a rainy June and always leaves too early. While August for most is still “summer”, for us in the bear hunting business it is technically the start of “hunting season”. We are running bear baits full tilt now with 26 sites to manage for our hunters. Today we started our fall cleaning… we tidied the shore by putting away our boating gear then we washed windows, dusted, swept, and mopped a little more than usual. We’ll have little time in the coming weeks to keep up with the house work as our first week bear hunters will arrive on the 28th.

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Calendar and Weather In Agreement

In The County, April is the month with no real identity. The calendar said it was spring but the landscape was still wrapped in a blanket of white. Mid-may and grass started greening. The white hillside shawls of snow that revealed bare shoulders slowly slip away. By month’s end lake ice became shush, then darkened and finally melted away in early May. Mangy moose were seen on roadsides and fishermen hit the water.

I spent Easter weekend downstate with Miranda and her family. It turned in to a bit of an adventure when my truck broke down south of Oxbow and just north of Knowles Corner on my way south. The silver lining to that dark cloud was neighbor Mike Michaud pulling in to ask if I needed help just moments after I’d parked on the side of the road and was calling the print shop for Rick Saucier’s phone number to get my truck picked up. I hitched a ride back to Eagle Lake with Mike; Ricky brought my truck home on his flatbed. I grabbed the gray truck and headed south, again. Wayne was left with the ATV to commute to work. Ah, the advantages of living in Eagle Lake - you can commute to work on an ATV!

I got back on the road slightly behind schedule with no other mishaps. I took Acadia to a riding lesson Friday morning, then shopping. Saturday we watched friends ride at a ranch sorting clinic then later colored eggs. Sunday morning Acadia and Nellie searched the house for the eggs the Easter Bunny had hidden. As they headed out to brunch, I headed home. That Monday morning I bought a newer ¾ ton Chevy extended cab from Andy Theriault at Andy’s Auto in Fort Kent. I’d been admiring that truck for a couple weeks, wishing I had an excuse to buy it. Be careful what you wish for...I got the truck I liked but only because my green truck blew an engine!

We moved up to the lodge at the end of April – another sign of the true coming of spring. Wayne and I spent three days cleaning and scrubbing last season’s layer of dust and wood smoke from the entire lodge: logs, windows, and every surface we could reach. It looked and smelled so fresh! We enjoyed our winter stay in the cozy cabin but it felt good to finally stretch out and have some space to roam around indoors, which was a blessing because May turned out to be very wet. We did what we could outdoors on rainy days but concentrated out efforts on projects where we could stay dry. Larry Converse, Greg Gordon, Rich and Tom Knowles; and Edgar Satterfield and friends arrived for a week of fishing on May 16th. It turned out to be a tremendous week with the guys landing several brook trout in the 2-3 lb. range as well as salmon in the 2-4 lb. class. Of course lots of shorties were caught and released too. The lake was very high after ice-out and all the runoff. Finally, on the 19th, the lake had dropped enough so Wayne could put the dock out. I went brook fishing with my boss Steve, and his two children Alli and Christopher on the 21st. They were so excited catching brookies with worms and bobbers in the streams and exploring the wooded hillsides along the streams. I treasure making memories with a new generation of sportsmen and women!

The afternoon of May 25th Wayne was down on the shore putting the float in for our small boats. He noticed a fisherman trolling in a canoe between Oak and Duck Points. The second time he looked up he saw the canoe had capsized! The fisherman was clinging to his boat but with water temps at 50 degrees, he would lose dexterity in only 5-10 minutes which would have made it difficult, if not impossible to continue clinging to the boat or swim to shore. Fortunately our boat was on the dock and Wayne was able to provide help. By the time Wayne got to the fisherman he was attempting to maintain contact with his canoe, had definitely lost dexterity, and was in a state of confusion. It took all the strength Wayne had but he was able to pull the fisherman in to our boat and bring him back to the lodge to dry off and warm up. Wayne politely but firmly told the fisherman he would be leaving his boat on shore and hitching a ride home in the truck! The fisherman returned the next day to thank us for Wayne’s help and to retrieve his canoe. I learned it was not the first time he’d gotten in to trouble on the water over the years. I suggested maybe it was time to trade the old aluminum canoe in for a more stable boat. After enjoying the many memories he shared about his fishing adventures on Maine’s many rivers and lakes I understood why he treasured that old canoe. I shook his had, told him to be careful, and invited him to join us to fish Eagle Lake once in a while; he’s got some more great stories to share and what better way to hear them but while fishing, safely!

Mark Babine and his family arrived for Memorial weekend on the 27th. We’re watching daughter Eva grow – the first time she came she could barely walk. This weekend she was out in her pink rubber boots and rain slicker walking her Auntie’s little dogs!

Owners Mary Lu and John Medina were up to begin opening their cabin for the season. Sal Spadaro (CT) and friends Roy, Mike, and Paul arrived on the 28th to fish through midweek. They enjoyed some decent fishing their first day on the lake. They brought in a fat brook trout on the 29th for us to smoke alongside Wayne’s 4 lb. salmon. The two fish FILLED the smoker! Since it had rained for two days straight we announced Sunday a “Bring You Own Rain Poncho and Gum Rubber Boots” Party. The guys from cabin 7, along with Steve Daigle, joined Wayne and me for a feast of smoked fish and cocktails at the lodge. Of course Monday dawned bright and our weekend guests headed home. Joe Decker (NJ) arrived for his 40th (or so) season at Fish River Lodge. Joe is Fish River Lodge’s most loyal, long-time client. We have some who first came here before Joe, but Joe has never missed a spring fishing season!

I finished painting the boat Wayne started on Saturday. We still have two more to paint, and some trim on the cabins to do. If this dry weather continues I might just get it all done this week! And Wayne can cut the grass, again. The calendar and weather are finally in agreement – it is spring at Fish River Lodge.

Drinking Winter's Best

We celebrated the last day of winter with a snowmobile ride down to Portage to look at deer in the deer yards outside of town. Trails were in excellent condition and we rode under a splendid, clear blue sky. The temperature was a chilly 27 degrees with a stiff wind blowing down the icy lake. After gassing up our sleds and hitting the trail we were soon sheltered a bit from the wind and saw many crows, song birds and a grouse on our way south. We stopped at Red River to watch the run-off in a break of open water under the bridge – the first open water we’d seen in many months. As we watched the water flow under the ice we wondered out loud about the brook trout we’d soon be fishing for. We crossed Portage Lake and wound our way toward town, bisecting many deer paths in the snow where the deer have been making their way to backyard feeding stations. These deer are luckier than their backcountry cousins and look to be in very good condition going in to the toughest month for whitetail survival. We stopped and watched several small groups of deer – does with yearlings, lone bucks, and others who have toughed out another northern Maine winter with us. I get a special thrill this time of year watching deer. They remind me of winter’s hardships that have been endured; they are a symbol of hope and the coming of spring. After completing our tour I playfully waved good-bye to the last group of deer we passed. I thanked them for showing themselves and wished them well until the snow is gone and fresh brows can nourish them. Back at the lodge we stoked the woodstove and hunkered down for another cold night.

This winter seemed to pass quickly. With the lodge and cabins shut down we’ve had no guests since December. It’s been a little lonely down here in cabin 7 but our jobs have kept cabin fever at bay. Our first real snow didn’t begin piling up until mid-January, so late in the season we had to cancel our annual Eagle Lake sled dog races scheduled for the 15th for lack of snow! Temperatures were cold enough for snow but storms that dumped piles of white downstate missed us completely, or left us with only 3-5 inches of snow at a time. We finally had enough snow on Jaunaury 22nd to take the snowmobiles out and did some off-trail riding in hopes of finding moose sheds. We found none and after an 80 mile round-trip we returned to the comfort of our cabin on a day when the temperature dipped to -20 and wind swirled snow down the lake in a ground blizzard.

At the end of January Wayne entered the annual Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby, having taken 3rd place with a brook trout last year his hopes were high to do better this year. He spent Friday preparing…he plowed a road to Alec Brook; packed his new tote sled with ice auger, live bait, propane, food, and beer; hauled his ice shack down the lake; drilled holes and had everything set up by nightfall when I returned home from work. Grant camped out in the ice shack, fishing for cusk. Wayne’s plan was to meet Grant Saturday morning and be fishing at sunrise. I stayed in bed. Later I took my snowmobile down the lake and met them for breakfast. There were dozens of groups fishing the ice between Alec Brook and Three Brooks Cove. What a sight to see so many families on the ice together! Ice fishing is as much a social experience as it is a fishing experience. Between checking their tip-ups, anglers visited with one another – catching up on local goings-on and monitoring each others’ catch. Fishing was fast Saturday. Wayne landed about 18 brook trout that day but none weighed more than the two pounds it would take to make them contenders for a derby prize. Sunday was a slower day of fishing. Late in the afternoon we packed up and fell in line with the parade of trucks, ATVs, and snowmobiles returning home as the clouded sky darkened.

During the week of February 7th Fort Kent was transformed from a sleepy little border town to an international stage for the IBU World Cup Biathalon. Athletes, spectators, press, and support teams from all over the world descended first on Presque Isle, and then Fort Kent for competitions beginning at 10th Mountain Lodge on February 11th. Local volunteers built an ice “castle” (beer hall) on Main Street for the weekend festivities. An International Light Parade was held on Friday night to welcome visitors and athletes to our community. The parade started in Claire, New Brunswick, crossed the International Bridge, then proceeded down Main Street in Fort Kent. Thousands lined the streets for the parade which was led by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. School children carried flags representing the countries competing, athletes and their coaches marched, lighted floats – many with music, singing, and dancing – were created by businesses and organizations from both sides of the border. As soon as the parade ended a spectacular battle of fireworks commenced…they were first launched from Lonesome Pine Trails then from across the St. John River in Claire, then a second volley from Fort Kent – amazing! NBA basketball star, Scotty Pipin, was spotted at various venues during the three-day competitions and festivities. I spent much of that week as host at Wilderness Edge Resort in St. Francis while owner Beth NcNally attended her daughter’s graduation from Marine boot camp in South Carolina. Biathalon team doctors and physical therapists from Italy and Germany were guests at the resort. I enjoyed making new friends from across the Atlantic and was entertained by their stories of previous World Cup and Olympic biathalon competitions. I hope to see them again when the World Cup returns to Fort Kent some day.

On the weekend of March 5th, sled dog teams from northern-tier states and several Canadian provinces called Fort Kent their home for a few days during the 19th running of the Can-Am Crown sled dog races. Wayne and I witnessed the start on Main Street in Fort Kent on Saturday morning. The night before, crews hauled in snow and transformed downtown in to sled dog racing mecca. Nearly 90 teams of 6, 8, and 12 dogs started their journey through northern Maine’s wilderness trails from Fort Kent’s Main Street. That afternoon I loaded the AVT and headed south to Portage as a volunteer at the Portage check point. The day started with light snow but changed to rain by mid-afternoon making the check point an icy, mushy mess. Most all teams were in by 8 p.m. and back on the trail by 1 a.m. Throughout the night conditions alternated from drizzle to down-pouring rain making conditions miserable for driving dog teams! From Portage the teams headed to Rocky Brook logging camps then on to Maibec where they took a long rest. It rained right through the night and in to Sunday. Wayne and I celebrated our anniversary Sunday by going to lunch at Lakeview Restaurant in St. Agatha. By the time we finished lunch rain changed to snow and it was a slushy ride back to Eagle Lake. By sunset we had a dusting of snow and ice as everything froze up after 2” of rain had fallen. We followed the progress of teams on the race web site. Monday broke with blizzard conditions. At 4:00 a.m. we had 2” of snow on the ground, at 7:00 a.m. 5” and by late afternoon 18-20” of snow had fallen! I continued keeping track of the teams’ progress from home. All but 6 of the 23 starters had scratched by Allagash according to CanAm’s official web site. Projected winners were expected to arrive in Fort Kent between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. Jaye Foucher, who had scratched from the race in Maibec, was at the finish – her 9 mile commute to town took an hour, in a 4-wheel drive pick up! She kept me informed of developments via Facebook. I, in turn, kept my Facebook friends up to date with my postings. At 1:00 p.m, no one knew exactly where 5 of the teams were, only that they had passed a safety station near Wallagrass Lake and had not yet arrived at the St. Antoine Road station. Hours had passed…finally a search and rescue sled was sent out to look for them…they were found safely resting their teams on the trail. The run from Allagash had been brutal as snow accumulated, obliterating the trail and slowing their progress to a crawl, literally. At one point, musher Rene Marchildon led his team up a hill in a windblown field on his hands and knees. The run had taken so long that mushers had to stop and rest their teams before reaching the finish. The Bangor Daily news covered the race and has many articles to read if you’re interested. I won’t ruin the anticipation of a good story here – read the tales yourself, especially in the order they were written. Links are posted on CanAm’s web site at: http://canam.sjv.net/Articles/RaceNews.htm It was a race to go down in the history books as the most challenging ever where teams and mushers were pushed, some to their limit; others worked together just to defeat the wicked conditions between them and the finish line.

On Wayne’s birthday we took a trip to Presque Isle for birthday presents and dinner after he got home from work. He bought a new set of Craftsman tools and basketball sneakers. We enjoyed sushi at Oriental Pearl restaurant then birthday cake at home.

Here it is, March 20th – the first day of spring. Wayne went ice fishing this morning and caught 14 brook trout, all 12-14” long. I stayed behind to write this latest Fish River Lodge journal entry. Game warden, Chad Abbott stopped for morning coffee while out on patrol. The sun is shining and yesterday’s wind went down late last night. While the temperature is still below freezing, warmth from the sun softens snow and ice. We’ve got another week and a half left of ice fishing – Wayne made a date with Chad to go out on Thursday and hopefully bring in another limit of brook trout for dinner.

Next weekend I will head over to Heywood Kennel ( http://heywoodkennel.com ) in Stockholm for a day of fun by dog team. They are hosting a fun run and gathering of local mushers and friends. I offered to help with ANYTHING in exchange for the chance to take out a team. I’m so excited Lindy and Kevin will entrust me with a team of their sled dogs! My life before Fish River Lodge was consumed in large part by maintaining my own team of racing Alaskan huskies. Dog team owners will tell you, dog mushing is an addiction that never leaves your blood. I haven’t stood on the runners of a sled for a couple of years but I will “take a drink” when ever I get a chance!

We’ll spend the next few weeks drinking in the last of winter’s offerings. After that we await the slow, melt to spring…

A New Chapter for Fish River Lodge

As we look back at 2010 it is with fond memories of families vacationing together, friendships renewed or forged, and some amazing adventures in the woods and on the waters of this beautiful place we call Fish River Lodge located on Eagle Lake, in “The Valley”. We also look back at a lot of hard, endless hours of work and the difficult times we’ve struggled through. We, like many of you, have had to make many sacrifices as our economy falters. It hasn’t been kind to the tourism industry and especially the sporting camp businesses in Maine. Wayne and I have cut every conceivable expense we could manage to remain competitive. Even then we haven’t been able to keep our business profitable. Finally, we came to the realization we might have to sell Fish River Lodge. We put it on the market last November and started to share this tough decision with our clients. We got through 2010, by the skin of our teeth. We kept our faith, we worked harder, hoped, and prayed when we had nothing else. “Gambaru” (a Japanese word for “never, ever, ever, ever quit”) was our morning mantra. Our loyal clients helped us keep the faith and we enjoyed one of our busiest years since we took over Fish River Lodge in May 2005. It was an omen to us that things would get better.

Finally, in December our prayers were answered. John and Mary Medina (Arundel, Maine) had been looking for a property on Eagle Lake. They found Fish River Lodge and fell in love; they decided to buy the property. We met with Mary and John on December 30. They offered us an opportunity that would keep our dream alive and keep Fish River Lodge open to the public, at least for a while longer. We will remain here through the winter, staying in cabin 7 until spring. Beginning in May we will lease the property from the Medina’s and continue running our business. They are the optimistic new owners of the property comprising Fish River Lodge and the authors of its next chapter. Wayne and I bought the property when no one else would give it a chance. We wrote our own chapter. Now John and Mary have become the next in line to nurture the property and write another chapter. We are so blessed and thankful for their generosity and we know many of you are too. We hope you will have a chance to meet them and thank them for keeping it open for another year. Wayne and I will run the business and retain the name “Fish River Lodge.”

We closed on the property January 14, Mary Medina’s birthday. They gave us a woodstove for cabin 7 and we will begin moving next week.

2010 ended on a bittersweet note. We were relieved the end of our chapter had been written, the stress and financial challenges were behind us; while we no longer “own” the property we have been graciously given the opportunity to remain its hosts. Now we can look forward to 2011 with renewed energy and enthusiasm to greet each of you again, to allow you to make new memories here, and for us to continue growing the friendships whose seeds were first sown here.

Wayne and I are happy that it all worked out the way it did. While we love running Fish River Lodge, we had become weary of the stress and financial difficulties we faced every day. We welcome John and Mary with sincere congratulations on their purchase of the property, we promise to make them proud when they see how much this place means to so many of you, and we are reminded that everything happens for a reason and that John and Mary rescued Fish River Lodge so another chapter can be written. Thank you all for 2010 – we wish you faith, hope, health, and happiness in 2011…

November Moose and Deer

Thank goodness for a November moose hunt in the northern zones. It boosted our monthly revenue and helped pad our bottom line. Although those of us “in the business” do this for the love of keeping our industry and tradition alive, we are running businesses and operating “in the black” is becoming increasingly difficult year after year.

Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife divided moose permit holders in to three week-long seasons when they added a November week in addition to the traditional two week-long hunts in September and October. This was a blessing for us. November used to bring deer hunters to the north-country in search of big woods bucks weighing over 250 lbs and sporting giant racks scoring 150 points or better. Our hunters enjoyed tracking snow, large tracts of land with little competition from other hunters, and the tradition found only in a sporting camp. In recent years deer densities have plummeted due in large part to the loss of winter habitat combined with coyote predation and severe winters. Therefore, like many other sporting camps, we have lost most of November deer hunters. Just three years ago we hosted as many as 45 deer hunters, this year we look forward to the return of the Bombara family and friends – our most loyal deer hunters who have been hunting the St. John Valley for over 30 years.

But before I get ahead of myself, let me tell you, the November moose hunt was all we hoped it would be, and more! Since we had never hunted moose this late in the season we could only speculate what we’d find and how we’d hunt. After spending four months in the woods keeping notes on moose sightings, scouting trophy bulls, identifying cow and calf territory, and monitoring harvests of cows and bulls during the preceding hunts, Wayne and I developed our plan for November. We had four cow tags to fill and one bull tag. Mark Plummer (Binghamton, NY) selected Mike Michaud as his guide – Mike had successfully guided Mark several years ago out of Allagash. Mark’s parents, Bruce and Betsy (Farmington, ME) would share in Mark’s hunt. Wayne guided Jim and Karen Murphy of Rangeley, ME. I looked forward to meeting father/son team Eric and Everett Peterson of South Portland, ME. Joe Corson, his wife and son were committed to a self-guided hunt and we knew they would find success. They’d been up scouting in the past and Joe killed a moose earlier in the season – this was to be his wife’s hunt. The Rowell family of Sidney/Farmingdale, ME were on their own but being seasoned outdoorsmen we knew they’d fill their tag before week’s end.

Opening day was perfect – it was cold and a light snow had fallen. On the way in to our hunting grounds we saw moose tracks in the snow and the moose were on the move! We kept in radio contact with Wayne since we were hunting in the same area. Everett was the first to spot what he through was a moose down over the hill on the edge of a clear cut. I glassed the area and it took some consideration before agreeing that was the backside of a moose and not a stump! Eric got out of the truck, loaded his rifle, lined up on the young moose and once we confirmed it was in fact a cow, he fired. Another moose appeared and they both trotted away. We radioed Wayne and Company to let them know we’d shot then we went down to track. With four sets of eyes working we couldn’t find any blood. We found where the moose had stood, where they’d turned and run, and Eric and I followed their tracks in to the woods. Eric was disappointed but I reminded him “it was not meant to be” and a clean miss is almost as good as a clean kill. Everett has a heart condition and recovering that moose from down over the hill would have been a chore – we all agreed a better opportunity was ahead. By the time our scenario played out Jim Murphy had killed his cow. We drove over just in time to see them load their cow on the truck then we were back at it for the rest of the day. The Rowells tagged out but the rest of us would get to hunt another day. Tuesday morning we were all out of camp before sun-up. It was another crisp morning with a light breeze. We found our first cow early. It ran off before Eric could get his rifle loaded. The second cow, on the same branch road, spooked too, this time Eric had his gun loaded – we were getting closer! The third cow we found in a skidder trail. She was beautiful, a big, mature cow standing alone facing us. It would be a difficult shot but Eric took his time and patiently drew down on her. He fired, she ran, he fired twice more before she disappeared in to the woods. We decided to wait about 20 minutes before looking for her; I hoped she had fallen just inside the tree line. I gathered together my tracking pack and Eric and I set out to find her. We found a good blood trail immediately but soon I could see she had been gut-shot. I explained to Eric that it would be best to go back to the truck and let her be. That she would lay down, hopefully stiffen up, and bleed out. Back to the truck and another long wait…then back on the trail. We found where she’d laid but she’d gotten up and walked off. We tracked her down in to a beaver flowage and there she revealed herself and gave herself up. She came to rest across the flowage from us – it was such a beautiful sight, that cow standing at the edge of the water, her reflection and that of the fir trees behind her. The first shot across the flowage was lethal, the second was for insurance purposes. I was so thankful she gave herself up to Eric. Eric hasn’t hunted much and this hunt turned in to quite an adventure!

When we got to the moose we could see the flowage backed up to the edge of a clear cut. I took a compass bearing and decided to scout my way out since this moose would have to be quartered and carried. We returned to the truck to tell the others we had our work cut out for us. It was about a mile back to the flowage, in a relatively straight line or a mile and a half meandering along the ribbon track we’d marked. We would use the ATV to get down in to the clear cut but given the time of day (lunch time), we would be best served with helpers. We called Wayne and his party came to the rescue. In the mean time, Eric and I returned to the moose. The day was cool and crisp, we didn’t have to worry about flies or spoiled meat so we took our time and savored the moment, gutting and quartering the large animal that had fallen and tangled herself in the firs right at the edge of the water. It was a challenge working in those conditions but as they say – “you eat the elephant one bite at a time” and likewise, cut by cut we worked our way in and around the trees and moose until it was of a manageable size. We carried out the forequarters on our backs then broke for lunch at the truck to wait for the others. We unloaded the ATV and with our troop of helpers, returned to finish the job at about 2:30. With everyone’s help, we had the whole moose carried out and load by 4:30 p.m. I enjoyed spending time with Eric and sharing this adventure with him. When it was time to leave the carcass and beaver flowage behind, I wanted to stay. It was such a beautiful, bountiful, and peaceful place. I will remember that hunt and that place forever!

Back at the lodge we learned Mark Plummer had made a perfect head-shot on a 51” bull. We all celebrated that night for sure. By Thursday all were tagged out. The Murphys stayed for the week and did some grouse hunting and just plain old relaxing and vacationing. We tried to convince them to move to The County – Jim works for Border Patrol, Karen is a French teacher. They’d fit right in up here! When their week ended they departed in style – Jim has a real train horn in his Blazer. As they drove up the driveway, blasting the horn, it sounded like the train from town had derailed and was headed right for the lodge! Wayne and I waved good bye with tears in our eyes, mostly from laughing!

We had a week “off” which means a week back at our real jobs, before Vinny, John, Sal, and Matt Bombara, and John “Smitty” Smith and Charlie Sayers returned for their annual deer hunt. They have hunted these parts, from Portage to Eagle Lake and points in between, for over 30 years. We love to relive their memories at dinner and have started a tradition of our own when Gloria Curtis (former owner of Crooked Tree Lodge) and her friend Diane spend an evening with us. They always bring a wonderful dessert and we tell stories until long after dinner has been cleaned up. There were no deer on the game pole but the camaraderie of camp continues for another year.

On the 22nd, I headed south for a deer hunt of my own. Mike Duni (Whitetails Unlimited, Unity Maine) invited me down for a three-day hunt in exchange for a spring salmon fishing trip. Since I hadn’t killed a deer in six years I jumped at the opportunity! I left in a snowstorm and it was slow-going. I called ahead to let Mike know I’d be late – he reminded me to take my time and since we’d be hunting right from his house we could still get in a couple of hours of hunting no mater what time I arrived. He greeted me with a bowl of delicious chili, I moved my gear in, changed in to my camo and blaze orange and we set out for an afternoon hunt. It was raining lightly so he suggested sitting in a shooting house he has at the edge of a small field. He also reminded me, if I wasn’t “fussy” I could probably go home with a deer. He’d been teasing me with trail camera photos of several does and a couple small bucks. I wasn’t fussy and would be thrilled just to see deer! As we approached the field there was already a doe feeding. We watched her and caught a glimps of another deer as they left. We snuck in to the shooting house and got set up. Within 45 minutes two yearlings came to feed and we watched them for 10-15 minutes – what a treat! Then, just as darkness began to descend a fork-horn buck walked in to the field. He fed completely back-end to me. He would be a perfect freezer buck, if only he’d present a shot! Mike and I whispered back and forth about our options and we agreed that if he presented an opportunity before dark I would take him. Finally, he turned just enough to his left that I could take a tight shot. I settled the crosshairs on him, quieted my breathing, relaxed, and squeezed. He dropped right there where he’d been feeding and never twitched! I was so excited! What a hunt! We hadn’t been out for three hours and had seen five deer and killed one! Mike was awesome! His property is managed for whitetails and it is obvious his skill and dedication has paid off. We tagged and weighed the deer then spent that evening celebrating and swapping stories. The next day I asked Mike to take me on a tour of other tagging stations in the area. It isn’t hard to entertain a girl from The County – I was amazed to learn that four other tagging stations had already tagged more that 100 deer each and they were all located within a half hour of each other! We’d be lucky if even 300 deer were tagged in the entire Aroostook County this fall! We visited with Jerry and Sandy Whitcomb (Brooks) and stopped by to see the deer hanging at Duane Webber’s camp (Dixmont). They had two; Tom’s doe and Jeff’s buck. Wednesday Mike gave me a guided tour of his property before I headed further south to spend Thanksgiving with Miranda, Tyler, Acadia, and Nellie. Wayne stayed home for Thanksgiving – he worked and hunted a big buck that has eluded him for three years now. But I brought home venison for the freezer. That, some moose heart, and grouse…we’d be eating well off the land this winter. As another Thanksgiving came to pass I am thankful for good friends, the love of my family, and precious memories.