Articles
Best Streamer Flies
By Bud Leavitt Editor’s note: Maine’s late, well-known outdoor writer Bud Leavitt left us his legacy between the pages of his only book, Twelve Months in Maine. In this monthly feature, we reprint selected excerpts from his book courtesy of Bangor Publishing Company. In most Maine waters you’ll learn, if you’re patient, landlocked salmon, squaretails … Continued
Smarter Turkey Hunting
By Stu Bristol If you have not nailed down at least half a dozen prime turkey hunting locations by now, you’ll need to get a bit smarter in your preseason scouting techniques. Finding a longbeard in the spring can be as easy as watching the back fields, power lines and railroad … Continued
The Border Buck
BY Hal Blood Winter is in full swing, but telling deer stories keeps us hunters warm and cozy. Last month, I wrote about the first two weeks of my deer season, and this month, I’ll finish up the season. When the third week rolled around, there was still no tracking snow to be found. … Continued
Strange Encounter
By Kale O’Leary The following article is the strangest encounter with a wild animal that I have ever had in my life. People often ask me if I have ever had any “close calls” with bears when talking with them as Game Warden. I have always told people the same lines, “they are … Continued
Ice Fishing Hotspots
Editor’s note: This ice fishing report was prepared by state fisheries biologists and technicians listed below who oversee fisheries management throughout the state. The Sporting Journal is indebted to these dedicated men and women who oversee and manage Maine’s fabled and valuable sport fishery. Tight lines and check the ice before you venture forth! Sebago … Continued
The ITS: Volunteers Made It
BY Al Swett Snowmobiling in Maine started back in the 1950’s and 1960’s without a trail system. Today out Maine Trail Network is a destination point for riders from all over the United States and Canada. Our Interconnecting Trail System, or ITS as we call it, stretches from the deep South to the North Maine woods. … Continued
The King of Robb Mountain
By Haleigh White This story begins 8 years ago as my best friend and I drove deep into the woods to hunt her family’s 100-acre forested plot. It’s a gorgeous ridge covered in hardwood trees and a sheltered cedar swamp lies below. We sat in different spots that morning and shortly after … Continued
Lost On a Mountain in Maine
BY V. Paul Reynolds Donn Fendler was a 12-year-old boy who became famous for surviving a harrowing nine-day ordeal in 1939 when he got lost on Mount Katahdin. His story of survival captivated the nation. Fendler grew to manhood, distinguished himself as military warrior and during his later years came back to … Continued
Why Do We Hunt?
By Ken Baer This is something that I have pondered before. With the recent happenings at the statehouse and after reading in V. Paul’s article last month, Paul asked this specific question. I decided it was time for me to answer it. There are many reasons why we hunt, but only so many can … Continued
New Deer Rifles
By Tom Kelly Personally, I would not spend a lot of money on a new hunter’s first rifle. Many start out with a hand me down from grandpa or Uncle Zeke and that is great. However, today, many new hunters do not come from hunting families. I frequently share my opinions in this column, … Continued