Kill more Coyotes with Scent Control, Ice fishing & Snowmobile Riding

Scent Control Kills More Coyotes
A coyote appeared suddenly, 50 yards downwind of my position. The wily dog weaved between spruce trees, offering me no shot opportunity. With the distance closing fast, I knew at any moment he would pick up my scent and the jig would be up. Fortunately, he kept coming and at just 10 yards, he suddenly stopped, finally smelling something that just wasn’t right. At that precise moment, my rifle cracked, and a single .223 round put that coyote down for good. I am not absolutely sure what happened that day; maybe that particular coyote wasn’t exactly the smartest of his breed. Instead, however, what I would like to believe is that I would not have shot that coyote had I not take extensive measures to control my scent.

I believe that many times when hunters fail to succeed in shooting coyotes, they simply have not taken the proper measures need to adequately control their scent profile. When the stakes are high and we are chasing whitetails, it is easy to invest the time and energy required to control our scent. When hunting coyotes however, maintaining that same level of discipline can be difficult. Scent control is not rocket science and even a basic level of scent control, when hunting coyotes, will often go a long way in allowing hunters to put more fur on the ground. No-scent soaps and deodorants are effective but should be used each day 3-4 days before hunting to ensure that residual smells from scented shampoos and body washes are eliminated. Also, wear hunting clothes no more than two outings before rewashing in no-scent laundry soap, drying and then storing in sealed plastic bags with spruce or pine boughs.

Done right, more coyotes will see their last Maine winter. Hunting coyotes is practically a sport in Down East, almost as exciting as the high school basket ball tournaments. To get in on the action, use the Stud Mill road to access a massive road network, providing access to thousands of miles of prime coyote hunting opportunities. One of my personal favorite spots is located in and around Cranberry Mountain (DeLorme’s The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer (MAG), Map 35 E2) and Lower Sabao Lake (Map 35, D1, E1) both of these areas hold enough song dogs to make any hunter happy.

Ice Fishing
West Grand (Map 35, B-3, B-4) exists as a hugely successful salmon fishery, standing as one of the premier salmon lakes in Maine. The lake’s 14,340 acres and 128 ft watery depths provide excellent habitat for salmon, perhaps one of the most consistent salmon fisheries in eastern Maine. The lake provides superb habitat for coldwater sport fish, yielding trophy sized togue and salmon every season. Currently, the lake is being managed by Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW) to produce a high percentage of 2-pound salmon. Salmon caught by ice anglers typically range from 17 to 19-inches with the chance to pull up a larger trophy fish always a possibility. In years, boasting high smelt population densities, between 40-50% of the salmon harvested weigh 2 pounds or greater.

Show me a map of West Grand Lake and it would be difficult to indicate a specific spot where I have fished and not caught many fine salmon. Whitney Cove, the Throughfare, Hardwood Island, Pineo Point and many, many other locations are great choices for catching old silversides through the ice. Anglers targeting salmon will encounter more success if they bring smelts. While salmon will bite shiners, a much larger degree of success will be managed by those willing to invest a little more expense and effort and use smelts. If unaccustomed to using this baitfish, know they are notoriously difficult to keep alive. Bait buckets equipped with small aerators will increase the chances of keeping bait actively swimming all day long.

West Grand Lake should not be trifled with any time of year but especially during the winter. Those wishing to fish its icy depths need to have a backup plan should weather turn nasty. This plan should include extra layers of clothing, food, fire starting materials and being sure to leave an itinerary with someone should you not arrive back home by a specified time.

Snowmobile Riding
My idea of the perfect snowmobile ride includes a maximum of about 50 miles of trail done at around 10-20 miles an hour. At this speed, a rider is able to fully appreciate his or her surrounding and enjoy the beautiful scenery that the Maine winter offers. Often, I see riders flying down trails and across lakes at such unsafe speeds, it has me wondering why they appear to be in such a big hurry. It isn’t that I am an old fossil; it’s simply that I enjoy taking things slow. When I ride, I like to take my time and enjoy the moments spent outside, I stop to talk to ice fishermen, other snowmobile riders, cross country skiers and have even been known to stop at a store to get a snack and drink piping hot cocoa.

If looking for a slow ride with plenty of beauty and nice places to stop for hot drinks and an afternoon snacks, I suggest taking a ride on the Sunrise Trail (http://sunrisetrail.org) from Machias (Map 26, C-3) to Dennysville (Map 27, A-1) or Cherryfield (Map 25, D-2). This scenic trail passes through some beautiful country and can be accessed by parking at the causeway in Machias. While the scenery is spectacular, even more fun is stopping after a long afternoon of riding at Helen’s Restaurant in Machias for a hot cup of coffee and a slice of one of their delicious pies.

Introduce Kids to fishing

July provides the perfect opportunity to introduce a child to angling. With temperatures high and smallmouth bass feisty and plentiful, kids can readily develop a life long love of fishing during this month. Kids readily learn introductory fishing skills, as long as parents/guardians take the time to provide instruction in a fun and supportive manner. Small “kid sized” rods and reels fit well in tiny hands are well worth the investment. With fun designs like Batman and Barbie a child is sure to go wild when they are unveiled. Even if on a budget, have no worry that any kid will be entertained for hours with a stick having a bit of line and a bobber, hook and worm attached to the end. Equipment for fishing does not need to be complex for kids to have fun, what is most important is the quality time spent with a child in these situations helping them build enthusiasm about the great outdoors.

Practice sessions, casting and reeling in lures, are wisely done absent of hooks, until kids develop the control needed to cast and retrieve effectively. Even then, parents/guardians will be wise to keep a watchful eye on an exuberant youngsters back casts. Casting practice is made more enjoyable for kids when you tie a hookless plastic bait (salamanders, worms, crayfish, fish, etc) onto the end of their line. The often wildly colorful lure and wiggling action make it difficult for any kid to resist exhibiting interest. Casting and retrieving on a lawn or driveway, affords a place for instruction that is readily accessible and free of some of the distractions found in more “fishy” situations. Parents need not worry about getting lures stuck in trees, on lake bottoms or anyone falling into the water. Start by having kids cast beyond a specific point, so they can slowly increase their casting distance. As distance improves, have them cast lures into hula hoops to help them improve accuracy. With continued practice, 5 year olds should be able, with guidance, to cast a hooked lure and reel in live fish, eels, mudpuppies, bullfrogs and anything else that bites their hook.

With dozens of small mouth bass waters to choose from, in Washington County, anglers constantly inquire about which waters are the best. Over the last 25 years the Jonesboro office of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has compiled a chart averaging angler hourly catch rates and sizes of smallmouth bass from the highest rated waters Down East. If the list is closely examined a trend becomes apparent showing that the higher the catch rates the smaller the average size of the bass. When fishing with children, they are typically more interested in catching a lot of fish rather than big fish but anglers must decide for themselves which water offers the bass fishing that best suites them. Wabasses (Delorme’s The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer (MAG), Map 35, C-3) and Silver Pug Lake (Map 35, D-5) boast the largest average sized small mouth bass caught with 13.6 and 12.9 pounds respectively. Schoodic Lake (Map 25, C-3) holds the record for the highest number caught per hour, with an average rate of 16 fish.

Atlantic Mackerel Fishing
If July temperatures become too hot on inland lakes and ponds, a trip to the coast to fish for Atlantic Mackerel might be more pleasant. The Eastport breakwater (Map 37, E-3) offers the perfect spot for anglers to cast from shore for these delectable fish. If the fish are schooling, success occurs easily with equipment as simple as a basic spin casting reel, medium weight fishing rod, and a diamond-style mackerel jig, Swedish pimple or any other flashy silver lure that can be found in a tackle box. Simply casting into a school of mackerel and allowing the lure to sink for a few seconds before rapidly retrieving is all that needs to be done to catch fish, usually LOTS of fish. Upon landing a fish, immediately cast back into the schooling fish as this will usually lead to multiple hook-ups for as long as the school remains in place.

Though not providing quite the same level of “sport”, lots of people fish for mackerel with “Christmas trees,” pre-made rigs consisting of several hooks attached to a main line, designed to catch several mackerel at once. Mastering fishing with one of these rigs requires anglers to manage to get all the hooks full of fish at the same time. Doing so requires not reeling in first fish hooked but instead, allowing it to swim freely about, attracting other mackerel to bite and become hooked on the open lures. Christmas trees serve as a good way to take lots of mackerel in a short amount of time but for the most fun, stick to a single lure as provides the best action-packed fight! As fun as mackerel are to catch, they are also simple to prepare for the dinner table.

Mackerel will quickly degrade in July's high temperatures, so anglers should bring along a cooler filled with ice large enough to accommodate the number of fish they intend to catch. This ensures that caught fish remain fresh until they can be processed. Young, “tinker” mackerel require simply removing the head, eviscerating and rinsing with cold water, while larger fish may require the added step of being butterflied so they lie flat enabling more even cook on the grill. Grilling is easily the most preferred method, as Mackerel tends to have a less appetizing “fishy” taste, if the oils are not allowed to drain out as the flesh is cooked.

Indian Rock Camps (AKA Camp Clearwaters), located in pristine Grand Lake Stream, will be hosting a completely free week at their camps for children and young adults (up to 40 years old) with cancer and their families. While there exist several children’s cancer camps in Maine, none allow admission by young adults, until now! Jo-Anne and Ken Cannell are happy to host this annual CELEBRATION OF LIFE in loving memory of their daughter Gretchen, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of 12 and bravely fought this fight for 14 years. The camp is free to all Maine residents and reservations honored on a first come first serve basis. For more information, please contact Jo-Anne Cannell at 207-796-2822 or 1-800-498-2821.

Game Cameras Bring Spring Turkey Hunting Success!

Spring Turkey Scouting 
Sportsmen typically employ game cameras as a primarily means to track the movements of white-tailed deer, however another less frequent usage quickly gaining in popularity is using these devices to track the movements of other game species such as turkeys. Spring turkeys tend to follow regular patterns that can be easily monopolized on to help hunters be in the right place at the right time. If not currently using game cameras during spring turkey scouting, I strongly suggest giving them a try!

In support of these valuable hunting tools, here are a few hints and suggestions I have amassed through the years.

Where & How to Place Your Game Camera:
1. Place game camera facing north. If faced south into the rising and setting sun, a majority of photos will be washed out.
2. Make sure there is no vegetation in front of camera, for aesthetics and to avoid false triggers.
3. Point cameras at a 45-degree angle to a game trail (NOT perpendicular) as this provides more time for the camera to “trigger”, taking a photos of the entire animal and not simply it’s hind end as it passes by the camera.
4. Set cameras in areas that funnel animals (edges of bodies of water, trails, field edges, etc.) to be where the animals travel, increasing the chance of capturing them on camera.
5. Place camera 15-20 feet from the intended photo area. Most trail cameras can detect motion out to at least 30' but it pays to be conservative.
6. If strapping a camera to a tree, ensuring it's large enough to not blow in the wind.
7. Place camera 20”-25” off the ground, lower than typically set for deer.

Hints & Suggestions for Setting Your Game Camera:
1. Place camera in live mode, wait for the camera to trigger ensuring it works correctly.
2. Turn camera on and confirm all settings, especially date & time.
3. Test batteries and replace as necessary. Buy a battery tester, it will prove invaluable.
4. Check and verify motion detector's range. Test it out at home before deploying the camera in the field.

Care of your Game Camera:
1. The best defense against theft is a well-hidden camera.
2. Place moisture absorbing packs inside camera case if necessary.
3. Make sure the glass in front of the lens is spotless. Small smudges show up big in pictures.

*Maine law requires that game cameras be clearly labeled with the owner’s name. Also, if game cameras are deployed on another persons land, the landowner must grant permission before a camera can legally be placed on their property. 

Spring wild turkey hunting runs from April 28th to May 31st and is now open statewide in Wildlife Management Districts (WMD) 1-29. This season’s change, now allows turkey hunting throughout all of Washington County. Previously untouched prime hunting areas will likely hold trophy gobblers that have never been hunted. For the sportsman this presents a fantastic opportunity to pursue toms that have never heard the sweet clucks of a hunters box call or been fooled by a hen turkey decoy.

When attempting to locate turkeys, it pays to slowly walk or drive Washington Counties thousands of miles of logging roads and snowmobile / ATV paths. This method of “running and gunning” allows turkey hunters to be mobile, locate early morning gobblers and setup quickly for a chance at harvesting one of these impressive and beautiful birds.

For a hunters searching for a Wildlife Management Area to explore in Downeast, I suggest the 649-acre Jonesboro WMA (Delorme’s The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer (MAG), Map 26, C-2). For more specifics on the spring turkey hunt, see the IFW website at: www.maine.gov/ifw.

Early Season Bass 
In the spring of the year, as the water temperatures begin to slowly rise, bass become increasingly active. This creates great fishing in as early as April, with activity remaining steady up to the end of June. While it is certainly no secret that Washington County contains numerous truly epic lakes and ponds, each filled to the brim with small mouth bass, success at catching them is not always an easily accomplished endeavor. A number of factors including time of day, finding good bottom structure and lure selection present a few of the variables that need to be considered. Nothing can compare with first hand knowledge of a lake or pond. Knowing where to find bottom structures that hold fish like sunken beaver lodges, underwater weed beds, sunken logs and stumps, rocks, shoals, ledges, drop offs, islands and other such areas will put you leaps ahead of other fishermen. Polarized sunglasses and the benefit of calm water, greatly facilitate the process of finding areas containing ambush cover for hungry bass. Mark these areas with a GPS and these fishing hotspots will be enjoyed for years to come.

While many of these waters may be fished from shore with success, reaching the best fishing spots requires breaking free from the crowded boat launches and accessing areas that see little fishing pressure. All manner of watercraft can be used, as long as care is taken to respect the anticipated weather conditions. Maine’s lakes are notoriously fickle and a beautiful day on the water can quickly turn life threatening. Always wear a life jacket, as water temps will only allow minutes of survival time before your body will fail to function and drowning occur.

When bass fishing, I prefer to carry two fishing poles, one equipped for working weed filled areas and one for more open waters. By having two poles instantly available, anglers can quickly and easily match the intended fishing area without wasting time cutting and retying lures. My go to weedless lure is the “Zoom Super Fluke” and I would never dream of leaving the dock without having a handful of “Terminator” spinner baits in an assortment of different colors. Wabassas Lake (Map 35, C-3) presents great options for smallmouth bass fishing with, according to recent IFW reports, between 1.8-3.5 caught per hour and an average length of 13.5 inches.

Things that go Bump in the Night

Not a fan of summer’s high temperatures, on days where the mercury pushes high, I typically hide out in my basement, patiently waiting for the sun to dip below the horizon. Nighttime affords the perfect opportunity to enjoy favorite outdoor pursuits, without needing to contend with the sun’s brutal rays. Individuals wanting a truly unique experience will find that the woods after sunset are a beautiful and exciting place and that going “nocturnal” is loaded with potential advantages. Hikers enjoy abandoned trails, anglers paddle lakes absent of roaring outboards and stargazers can stare into the starlit heavens, enjoying the quite tranquility.

Another big benefit, includes being able to introduce kids to this mysterious world, teaching them from an early age that they do not need to be afraid of the dark. Good Gear Makes for a Good Night To be a successful creature of the night, it pays to invest in a high quality headlamp and flashlight. Petzl headlamps (http://www.petzl.com) are the ONLY headlamps I ever buy, their durability and performance are legendary. I have owned mine for over a decade and it has never failed. When paired with a high output Streamlight flashlight (http://www.streamlight.com), you will own even the darkest night. Users can choose from dozens of different models, based on their intended outdoor passion. While both are pricy, the benefits and years of service quickly outweigh the initial costs.

I prefer headlamps for their hands free operation. Light Emitting Diodes (LED) on these units provide adequate illumination for hiking and close proximity work. LEDs also require very little energy to function and therefore last a long time before needing new batteries. High output flash lights can reach out 100 yards and quickly illuminate large areas, should the need arise (think tracking a wounded animal at night). They do however often require pricy specialty batteries and drain quickly when compared to the energy efficient LED. A consideration, if you do not require a high power hand held flashlight, would be to purchase a very nice primary headlamp and a smaller, lighter weight (pocket sized) secondary headlamp. Always having two sources of illumination, guarantees not being stranded in the darkness, should the batteries die in the primary unit.

Eyes will adjust to darkness in steadily increasing increments, with major improvements occurring at approximately 20 seconds, 2 minutes, and 2 hours. After 2 hours eyes will be completely adjusted to the darkness and night vision likely not improve much beyond that point. Using a flashlight or headlamp, resets this clock and quickly negate any gains. Using a red or green filter on your headlamp or flashlight, instead of the standard white lens, will allow night vision to be more easily preserved and allow for faster recuperation of previously made gains.

Good Night Hiking
Trimble Mountain (DeLorme’s The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer (MAG), Map 37, D-2) boasts impressive views of the St. Croix River Valley and is a great spot for first time night hikers. Travel Route 1 South past the Calais/Robbinston line. In approximately 1.5 miles, turn right onto the Number 3 (Brewer Rd) road (if you pass the Redcliff Restaurant on the left, you have gone to far). Take a right at the fork and go about half a mile and then turn right onto the McNeil road. Drive straight ahead till you reach a sizeable parking lot. The last quarter mile to the summit is barely passable with a four-wheel drive vehicle and should be hiked. Trimble Mountain is privately owned and maintained, so visitors are asked to be extremely respectful and pack out all garbage, this will ensure continued access so the area and continued enjoyment by future generations.

Geocaching
For those interested or involved in the exciting sport of geocaching, two nearby caches will test the intestinal fortitude of even the steadiest nerves. Nearby by Brewer Cemetery (N 45° 04.806 W 067° 07.26) and Robbinston Ridge Cemetery (N 45° 04.925 W 067° 06.486) offer spooky early evening caches. For those with less resolve, the Robbinston boat landing (N 45° 04.925 W 067° 06.486) also has a fun cache in much less spooky surroundings. Please remember that whenever entering a cemetery, to always be extremely respectful and to obey the legal access times when these areas are open to the public.

Stargazing
Stargazers frequently use Trimble Mountain to peer into the heavens. Junior astronomers need not have an expensive telescope to enjoy the view of the heavens, as an inexpensive set of binoculars will allow viewing of many impressive astrological bodies, not readily seen with the naked eye. Though not occurring until next month, the impressive Perseids meteor shower is scheduled to occur around August 12th and promises to provide an impressive show that will quite literally be out of this world. Determining the viewing schedule and linking up with a local stargazing group is a great way to enter this hobby, without a large-scale initial investment.

The Downeast Amateur Astronomers (http://downeastaa.com) is hoping to offer several events in the Calais and Machias area throughout July. For more information, see the Downeast Amateur Astronomers website or contact, Charlie Sawyer at 214-5706 or csawyer7@roadrunner.com.

Good Night Bass Fishing
The warm waters of July, mark the return of the bass’s feisty attitude. Early mornings, late evenings and even the dead of night certainly top my list as favorite hours to fish. These times typically see less boat traffic and paddlers are less abused by high winds that tend to blow throughout the day. Add to these benefits, the possibility of viewing beautiful sunrises and sunsets and it isn’t hard to understand why the best time to be on the water usually starts or ends in the dark. Big bass tend to emerge from their shadowy underwater lairs to feed long after boat traffic has departed. Dark colored lures like Jitterbugs and other surface disturbers are the preferred lures and are guaranteed to elicit brutal strikes from hungry aquatic predators hiding in the shadows. Crawford Lake in DeLorme’s The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer (MAG), Map 36, D-2, is a great spot to begin your night angling obsession and promises excellent after dark bass fishing action.

Washington County Report – March

The Maine Sportsman - New England's Largest Outdoor Publication – Has assigned me as the writer for the magazines monthly Washington County Report. The column will highlight seasonal hunting, fishing and outdoor activities in Washington County, Maine. The copy below is the originally submitted unedited version. Enjoy! 

For more information on the Maine Sportsman Magazine or to order a subscription click this link: http://mainesportsman.com and https://www.facebook.com/mainesportsman
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Last Minute Ice Fishing 
By March, winter’s icy grip on Washington County begins slowly loosening and snow covered landscapes begin springing back to life. This final conclusion, at the end of a long cold winter, always seems to renew my passion to get back into the wilds. Historically warmer days and longer amounts of daylight make all outdoor activities more enjoyable. Gardner Lake Salmon and Monster Pickerel March starts with most waterways ice covered and safe to travel, however, as the month progresses, ice anglers must use extreme care and monitor the ice thickness frequently. This period of transition differs wildly each year, sometimes occurring at a snail’s pace and sometimes happening rapidly and with little warning.

Those still ice fishing this month, will typically enjoy some absolutely amazing days on the ice. Past trips, have yielded anglers in t-shirts, as lunchtime temperatures push almost 60 degrees F. Days like these, spent throwing the pigskin around the ice, make glorious memories even when few fish are caught. For the college crowd, at my alma mater the University of Maine at Machias, these types of days meant skipping classes and chasing salmon on Gardner Lake in East Machias. Access to Gardner Lake is easy thanks to a fine-looking boat launch just a few miles outside of the town of East Machias. After the intersection of Route 191 and Route 1, follow Route 1 for an additional 1.5 mi until you see the Chases Mill road on your left. Drive down Chases Mill road until it crosses Chase Mill stream. The landing is immediately after the bridge on the right. Park at the landing and you will see that a short walk to the north, sits a large island that over the years has provided countless ice anglers a base of operations for their day of lazy angling enjoyment. Use care when approaching and especially leaving the island, to stay on the northwestern island shore and walk straight back to the landing. This time of year, the ice on the eastern side of the island can begin losing stability, due to the shallow water and current created by Chase Mill stream.

Salmon populations on Gardner Lake are not what they have been in years past; in the 1960’s 4.5-pound fish were always a possibility. Nowadays, typical salmon run about 16 inches or less, with the lake still producing larger specimens from time to time. Anglers should expect slow fishing for salmon and fairly regular flags triggered by small mouth bass and pickerel. While salmon populations seem to be dropping, chain pickerel populations have been on the rise and it is not unusual to pull one through the ice 20 inches or larger. Look for Gardner Lake on DeLorme’s The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer (MAG), Map 26, B-4.

Coyotes Desperate but not STUPID

By winter’s conclusion, coyotes get a little more daring, as their fat reserves dwindle and access to easy meals diminish. This scenario provides the perfect opportunity to hunt these wily predators, as occasionally growling stomachs can short circuit their survival instincts and provide hunters with a small advantage. This does not mean that hunters should not continue practice good scent control and use wind direction and positioning to their advantage. Even a hungry coyote is extremely cautious and hunters who think otherwise will go home without firing a shot. The individual who hunts coyotes and despite best efforts continues to come up empty handed, needs to honestly review their hunting practices and determine what they are doing wrong. Coyote hunters primarily fail because they do not pay enough attention to wind direction and proper positioning. Plan to encounter difficulties when hunting unfamiliar areas or locations. With no previous understanding of the topography, setting up for that “good” shot becomes difficult or impossible.

Pre-scouting to become familiar with an area and understanding the predominant wind direction makes it infinitely easier to arrive at a hunting location and not waste time setting up and making unnecessary noise. Spots visited frequently can even be brushed out ahead of time with available cover materials or canvas camouflage cloth. Tag teaming coyotes with another hunter is more fun, safer than hunting alone and makes for better averages. With one person carrying a rifle for long-distance shots and the other a shotgun any reasonable distance the coyote appears, will be in optimal shooting range. Also, while one hunter manages the calling, the other can always be prepared to discharge their firearm should Wiley appear!

Dog Gone Snowshoe Hare

My Grandfather thoroughly enjoyed tracking hare on snowshoes during the month of March. Armed with a .22 Colt Woodsman pistol, instead of the more popular scatter gun, he always surprised us by coming home with a hare or two. The old man had a secret tied to this success, endless amounts of patience. Without the assistance of man’s best friend, to chase hares from their hiding places, hunters must walk and stop frequently to make hares nervous enough to bolt into the open. Slowly and methodically walking ten steps and then pausing for thirty second to one minute, usually makes them run for the hills! While stopped, hunters should carefully examine every small detail of their surroundings, looking for anything that appears out of place. A nose twitching, round black eyes or an off colored patch of snow, all can betray a bunny’s camouflage IF a hunter remains vigilant. Keep an eye on your back trail, as often hares that do not immediately run, will attempt escape after passing.

Hunting for rabbits is typically more fun and successful if done with a partner. Just remember that when hunting in tandem that you will be hunting thick covers and determining each other’s exact position is often difficult. Always wear a florescent orange hat and vest! Not everyone has the time or the resources to manage a pack of beagles but that should not disappoint hunters from trying to walk a few snowshoe hare out of the woods this month!

Washington County Report – January

The Maine Sportsman - New England's Largest Outdoor Publication – Has assigned me as the writer for the magazines monthly Washington County Report. The column will highlight seasonal hunting, fishing and outdoor activities in Washington County, Maine. The copy below is the originally submitted unedited version. Enjoy! 

For more information on the Maine Sportsman Magazine or to order a subscription click this link: http://mainesportsman.com and https://www.facebook.com/mainesportsman
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Ice Fish Like a Kid Again 
By the conclusion of the holiday season, I breathe a sigh of relief that the mayhem of Thanksgiving and Christmas have finally concluded and I can relax and begin planning for the return to hard-water fishing. While it will be another month before the classic West Grand is open for ice fishing, in the meantime, there exist many small ponds that beckon me to fish their waters.

While I love catching big fish, there also exists a part of me that relishes exploring waters providing nonstop flag-popping action. Washington County provides many lakes and ponds that offer tons of fun for children or those uninitiated with the ice-fishing experience. No better way exists, to hook someone new into fishing, as few anglers can contain their excitement, when even the “trash” fish are really biting.

One of my favorite ice-fishing memories comes from pickerel fishing on Conic Lake in the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/northeast/moosehorn) in Baring. The lake is accessible by parking along the side of Route 191 and walking or snowshoeing the short distance to the lake. The Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge maintains special regulations against gasoline-powered motors anywhere within the boundaries of the refuge, so individuals wishing to ice-fish Conic Lake must walk or snowshoe into the lake (no snowmobiles) and drill holes using a hand-crank ice auger or chisel. While this might discourage individuals, I find it a distinct pleasure to fish using these “primitive” tools and it creates a deep appreciation for the gas and propane augers we have now!

While it is highly unlikely that the next state-record pickerel will be pulled from these waters, Conic Lake offers fast fishing that is certain to be enjoyed by all. Just don’t forget to tell any newbies in your group that pickerel pack a mouthful of razor sharp teeth!! While many will likely pack in red hotdogs and other classic ice-fishing fare for their day on the ice, pickerel rank in my book as delicious. With a generous daily bag limit on pickerel set at 10 fish and with no length limit, even the hungriest anglers will get their fill. Decapitated, gutted, wrapped in tinfoil and thrown on the coals of a fire they are a treat ready in minutes. Look for Conic Lake on DeLorme’s The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer (MAG), Map 36, C-4.

Summit Mt. Magurrewock

In addition to the ice-fishing opportunities, the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge also maintains over fifty miles of dirt roads, closed to private vehicles. This makes these thoroughfares ideal for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Nature watching, along these byways, always seems to offer up excitement, typically treating visitors to encounters with a wide variety of woodland creatures. The refuge opens to the public daily from one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset.

A trek to the top of Mt. Magurrewock will challenge winter hikers to a fun and challenging adventure. Though rated as a moderate climb, with a summit only 381 feet above sea level, it will still get your heart pounding, trudging up the inclines through deep snow, in awkward snowshoes and carrying a light backpack. Enjoyable views of the ice-covered lowlands treat those reaching the summit.

Maps of the various trail systems are available at the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge main office, located in Baring. Watch for the refuge boundary sign along Rt. 1 and follow the Charlotte road approximately 2 miles before seeing the Moose Horn Headquarters road on the right. The office is open Monday - Friday, from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., except holidays. An information booth provides after-hours visitors with brochures and maps.

A reminder to hunters, the refuge only opens to deer hunting during the Maine rifle and muzzleloader season. It is closed to all other species and hunting seasons.

Eat Crow
Crow hunting start on Jan. 21st and goes to March 31st. With no limit to the number of birds taken per day, this species provides excellent shooting, with the added benefit of providing farm crops, nesting waterfowl and upland game birds with a small degree of relief from this crafty scavenger. I believe strongly in eating what you kill but some animals are difficult for even me to choke down and that includes the crow. Though I certainly have relocated my fair share of these winged vermin to heaven, I still have never been able to work up enough of an appetite to eat one. The reasoning for my distaste occurs because crows are well known carriers of disease, including the West Nile virus. To protect against possible infection always use rubber gloves when handling these avians and make sure to dispose of the carcasses in a means that does not allow access by cats, dogs or other animals.

Basic crow hunting requires a few plastic crow decoys and/or handmade silhouettes and a crow call. Place decoys in a field and a few in the nearby trees as “sentinels”. Fill a spray bottle with water and red food coloring and squirt on the snow to make a realistic “kill” area, this becomes especially effective when joined by a few turkey feathers stuck in the snow or small patch of fur.

On occasion, I have watched crows actually eat this “fake” blood. As hunters get more advanced, more crow decoys can be added and an owl decoy. This set-up works well to fire up the crows and dozens sometime respond in just a few minutes. Adding an electronic remote controlled game call adds yet another dimension to your decoy spread and increases success. It pays to have a rifle handy in these set-ups, as on occasion, I have had coyotes come running in to investigate the crow calls.

A few phone calls to local farmers will typically yield access to property for hunting opportunities, as most farmers understand the destructive power of the crow.