Monthly Archives: September 2012

Biologists: Banner year for northern Maine bird hunting

A year ago, bird hunters returning from trips into the North Maine Woods shared (somewhat annoying) good news with their pals who had chosen not to invest the time to head into the state’s huge expanse of commercial forestland. OK. I may have been one of those pals who had stayed home. “You should have […]

Musings from a moose-tagging station

Thoughts from a tagging station … A trip to Ashland on opening day is all it takes to remind one that Maine’s moose-hunting tradition is still thriving. Blaze orange caps abound in the dirt parking lot of Gateway Variety, the town’s tagging station. Five trucks sit in line, hunters waiting for their moose to be […]

Biologist familiar with 520-pound bear, offers an update

If you haven’t read the story about Jeff Hilton’s 520-pound bear, do so now. Otherwise, this post might not make much sense. If you have read it, and want to find out more about the burly bruin, I’ve got an update that you might be interested in. Randy Cross, a biologist for the Maine Department […]

Orrington native wins regional bass tourney, readies for nationals

Over a three-day stretch in which anglers struggled to put bass in their boats, Jonathan Carter stuck to his chosen strategy and emerged victorious over anglers representing their states and nations in the recent Cabela’s Bassmaster Federation Nation Eastern Divisional. For his efforts, Carter, an Orrington native who now teaches in South Portland, earned a […]

4 years, one man, and (eventually) a 520-pound bear

The not-so-subtle grumbling from some bitter folks began a couple of weeks ago when I wrote a blog post about a 600-pound bear that a … gulp! … Indiana man had bagged in the Maine woods. Out-of-stater, some online wizards spat. Comes to Maine. Hires a guide who does all the work. Never been on a […]

Trappers’ rendezvous scheduled

A quick housekeeping matter to start off your week: Pete Tinker of Searsmont sent along word last week that the state’s trappers (and those curious about trapping) will be interested in. The Maine Trappers Association will hold its fall rendezvous this weekend (Friday through Sunday) at the Windsor Fairgrounds. What can you learn at the […]

Biologist explains run on big Maine bears

Over the first two weeks of this year’s bear-hunting seasons, a number of large bears have been shot by hunters here in Maine. Indiana hunter Richard Paro went home with a 600-pounder that he shot in Township 39. Ben Cottrell of New York bagged a 522-pounder while hunting in New Canada. And Matt Knox of […]

One more big Maine bear: NY hunter bags 522-pounder in The County

When you’re bear hunting, sometimes it pays to stay put, even when you haven’t seen any critters approach your bait in days. Just ask Matt Knox of Pennsylvania, who used that tactic while hunting with guide Steve Monroe of Grand Slam Guide Service last week, and bagged a state-record 699-pounder. Some times, however, a little […]

No. 1 with a bullet: 699-pound bear taken near Greenville

Guide Jim Webber knows he’s got a bunch of big black bears visiting his bait sites. In fact, he figures that of the 22 sites he’s maintaining this bear season, about 15 of them are being visited by bruins that weigh from 300 to 400 pounds. Two other sites, Webber said, are frequented by even […]