New Bear Sites

Well a month ago, one of the large paper companies that I lease sites from advised us that a new plan was under development. Under the previous plan, sites were leasted at the rate of $100 per site. Sites were spaced, between baiters of about a mile. The new plan released this week is to lease entire township to one operator. This solves jumped baits, spacing and other issues. The big problem is that you lost baits in one town and gained some in another. I did loose a township that I really like, but gained access to a very large new area, that can handle 10 sites, so I lost 4, but gained 10. I love to explore new area...can't wait. I might even have to sled the area to see what it looks like without leaves on the trees.

Thinking Snow

Well I just watched the weather forecast - 4-7 inches of snow. The gear is packed and we are ready to venture to Duck Lake at 4am. The plan is to go up the Alligator Rd to the Stud Mill, then to Deer Lake and sled 14 miles into Duck and be on the ice at 6 am or so....at least that is the plan.

Parks Pond

Wow what a day, back from Hopkins, had a hot turkey sandwich from the stripped bird of Sunday and now off to Parks Pond with the kids. Oops, just ran out of gas in both ATV's.

Deer Sheds

Well Lorin is out on the sled and traveling by snowshoe in search of Moose and Deer sheds. As you see the Moose and Deer drop or shed their antlers in January. Usually they drop one here and then a few days later another there, so finding a matched pair is hard, but not impossible in the winter yard. Getting to the shed before the rodents and other nawing wildlife is the trick. Sheds are very popular and can be a source of excerise, fresh air, hide and seek for kids, a skill game and then at the end of the day a source or revenue. See sheds are sellable! Yes there is a market for those new and old antlers. Ads can be found in several of Maine's outdoor news publications. Remember there are various pricing and markets, are the antlers green or dry? Do you have a matched pair? What is the score or size? Some large match pair of either moose or deer can command a large pay off, much more than $6 a pound.

I have noticed several snowmobile's parked on the trails, with the owners on snowshoes searching the thickets. Zach recently found a matched 6 point shed, in all places the drive way, as the deer are eating the cedars.

There are Deer

As most of you know this part of Penobscot County going into Hancock and Washington have very few deer. However in recent days I am driving them off my cedar hedge and mending fence, as they seem to enjoy being with the cows. Traveling Route 46, by Peggy's place, we counted 22 deer feeding on the grass in the pasture. On Route 9 in Amherst, just before the Union River there is a large large group of deer, by Tannery Loop Road. Last year there were a number of road kills as the deer travel Route 9. Locals have placed signs up to warn drivers - wonder, is anyone feeding the deer? Could this be the cause of the problem? In any case use caution on this stretch of road as close to fifty deer are working the area in search of? buds or grain

Hopkins

Mike and Veron headed to Hopkins Pond in Clifton/Amherst early this morning and were able to get the Toyota on the ice and across to their favorite fishing hole. They reported a few other fisherman. They fished hard tending their two traps, but only one flag and a slight line out - wind flag, as the bait was still going strong with no sign of wear or tear. Oh well what a beautiful day to be on the water, and a little snow squal gave a dusting or so. We would like to try smelts, but the cost per dozen does not allow that this year.

We are packing in hopes of a Duck attempt early in the morning.

I think I will check and see how O'Connor is doing down in Flordia on Saddlebag Lake. Then a call to Three Rivers Canoe to check pricing on that Scott Canoe - just a dream.

The Cat is Down

Well the four stoke Bear Cat is down and heading to Bangor for parts. It seems we got some ice in the front wheels, so when we took off, the power of the engine forced the system and snapped the wheel shaft. So LP heater to melt the ice from underneath, a few bolts later and we should be back in business.

Mike's New Truck

Without a doubt the best 4 wheel drive truck is a 85-89 Toyota pickup. You just can't kill these things. I have used these for years for guiding and my 85 plow truck does 10 driveways and 4 acres of pasture for the last 10 years. I am happy to report that Mike just found an 87 in great shape with metal rack body and head board for $600. All stickered and ready for the road. I love these trucks, if we could only find a few more.

Ice Fishing

It is now February 15 with light snow falling. Snowmobiling has slowed a bit as the rain created quite a melt. Temperatures are staying below freezing so trails with snow are hard packed and overall ice conditions are good. Fishing in the last few weeks has been at Alligator, Jellison, Hopkins, Parks, Half Mile, Georges and attempts at Middle Branch Bog. Hopkins, even with it two trap limit and special restrictions is very busy. The lack of snow has allowed drivable conditions to the landing and as of yesterday various vehicles were on the ice itself (I am not a big fan of allowing motor vehicles on the ice).

Fishing to say the least has been slow. With four people fishing yesterday at Hopkins, (9yr) Hunter was the only one to get a fish a 13" brook trout.

We were hoping for some perch at Parks, but with the entire family and close to thirty traps - two fish, one pickeral and one perch.

I am not sure if the weather has played a part in the slow fishing, but I am not hearing of any fast action. While two new records were set this year, that of a brook trout and another from brown trout. Activity is slow.

We have tried to save a few buck by trapping our own bait and this is working well.
Depending on the weather a trip to Duck is scheduled.