Ephesians 4:24 “put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness”

As I read this scripture this morning it reminded me of a taxidermist work. When we first come to Christ the bible tell us we are “born again” (John chapter 3). When we come to Christ we must “die” to our old ways which is run by the flesh. Then we are reborn in the image of Christ. When we have that trophy mounted, the taxidermist brings that creature back to life.

I don’t know how many have seen “old” mounts. After time even the best trophies become worn. They need to be “touched up”. The taxidermists will use his skills and tools to refresh that trophy. In our walk with Christ we too can become worn and need a touch up from God. God will take us in his arms and restore us. We do this on a daily basis by reading God’s word and talking with him.

If you need a “touch up” from the master taxidermists today just call out to him. He’s always there to listen to us and willing and ready to restore us.

Colossian 1:5 “For the hope which is laid for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel”

As outdoorsman whether in hunting or fishing we have “pursued” that trophy. Each of us have stories of those trophies. Each of them being very important to us. Maybe it’s that large buck shot or that once in a lifetime fish. Other trophies might be our elderly dad shooting his last deer or our kids first fish caught. Our trophies are not always measured in size.

As Christians we need to focus on the big “trophy”. That trophy being heaven our eternal home.

If I invited you to the best place in order for you to pursue your trophy. On top of that I would guarantee you that trophy. To even further that it will come at no cost to you. The only thing you need to do is show up and leave the rest to me. I’m pretty sure everyone would jump at that chance. This is what Christ has done for us on the cross. It costs us nothing. This goes against most of our growing up in “religious” churches. Maybe even today your vision of the church and Christianity is based upon “religious” aspects. Jesus came in order that you and I could have that “trophy” which is laid for us in heaven.

I know when I go hunting or fishing I love to have family and friends with me. It also helps to have these people along in order to help out. That big buck is no fun to drag out alone. That fresh fish that is caught and cooked over the open flame along the river bank at camp that night tastes a lot better with someone to share it with. That’s all becoming a Christian is. It’s saying God I know you sent your son to earth in order to offer heaven to me as a “trophy”. I realize that I cannot do this alone. Lord will you help me today to realize what personalized “trophies” you have in store for me.

This is the second story of two good ole Maine boys. If you missed the first encounter you can catch up with my previous story.

That night at camp Pard cooked a meal for Bubba.

“Boy that was a great meal. Some of the best tasting meat I’ve ever had. So tender and sweet tasting” said Bubba.

“Well it’s all in how you cook it” replied Pard.

“I’m not sure about that, but it sure is delicious. Pass me some more”!

“What kind of meat is that anyways?” asked Bubba.

“That there’s muskrat meat” replied Pard.

Bubba began to choke down the bite he had just taken.

“It’s what?” asked Bubba.

“Muskrat. Some good aint it”.

“It was good until you told me what I was eatin”

After setting in his mind that it didn’t matter that he was eating water rat, Bubba finished a second heaping helping of muskrat meat, potatoes, and green beans.

After finishing up supper Bubba walked down to gather some water from the stream. He dipped his metal pot in and set in on top of the fireplace that Pard already had rip roaring. The water began to boil and Bubba washed up the dishes. During this time Pard was setting up his traps and gathering his gear in preparation to do it all over again tomorrow morning.

“So was today an average day or a slow day of trapping for you Pard?” asked Bubba.

“This was a purty slow day. Won’t be breaking the bank with these numbers” replied Pard.

“Tomorrow is the last day before I head into town to trade in my skins. I sure hope we have a good day tomorrow to add to the pelts hanging in the shed”.
As the camp grew dark they lighted the coleman gas light and placed it in the middle of the table. Pard then walked over to a closet and pulled out a cribbage board.

“Do you play?” asked Pard

“Sure do and I’m guessin your ready for a butt whoopin” replied Bubba.

Pard just kind of chuckled to himself. You see Pard was undefeated on his home turf in the masterful game of cribbage.

“We’ll just see about that” replied Pard.

After two games and two skunks Bubba said “I give up. I’ve never seen anything like it. You must be cheating”.

“Nah, just a game of luck” replied Pard.

After a cup of coffee and a whole bunch of yawns the two decided to call it a night.

“Tomorrow Bubba we’ll head down to the north side of the stream. That’s the area that you’ll want to pay particular attention to. Lots of deer signs down there”.

“I sure appreciate you letting me bunk here and showing me around the area” said Bubba.

“My pleasure and I kinda like the company”.

Bubba noticed Pard get up and bring the lantern to a bedside stand. He then see him reach underneath his pillow and pull out a book. Bubba thought what is that? He couldn’t make out what the book was. He was however surprised that Pard could read. He had him pegged for someone that didn’t waste his time behind a book. After a few minutes he watched Pard fold the book closed and place it back under his pillow. He then turned the lantern off. The two fell off to sleep.

Early the next morning Bubba was up and figured it was his turn to make breakfast and get the fireplace going. Pard woke up shortly after and immediately began to gather his supplies. He placed each in his basket placing them in a designated certain spot.

After eating breakfast and cleaning up the two of them set off for the north side of the property across the stream. Crossing the stream Pard noticed a bobcat running through the barely lighted woods. Bubba with his nose to the ground in awe of all the deer signs had no idea. He just kept saying “man, oh man”.

After a quarter mile walk they arrived at their first trap. It was set up on a blow down tree. It appeared to be a different kind of trap then Bubba had noticed. Then he noticed some kind of animal that he had never encountered.

“What is that” asked Bubba.

“That there is a fisher” replied Pard.

“I hadn’t noticed that kind of trap back at camp”

“No, I have em all set out. They are what they call “killer” traps. They have to be set up on blow downs or stumps at least 4 feet high”.

During this trip all but two traps offered an animal in them.
“Wow, this was a good day” said Bubba.

“Day isn’t over yet, we need to go check the traps we checked yesterday also. Leg hold traps by law have to be checked daily” replied Pard.

“We didn’t come over here yesterday though” said Bubba.

“No we didn’t. The day that we ran across each other I had just set them out. Therefore we didn’t’ need to check them yesterday.”

The east side line of traps offered up two more coyotes and a mean bobcat.

After finishing up the traps Pard took Bubba down to an ole apple orchard. He pointed out a stand that set on the edge.

“You’ll wanna make sure your sitting in that stand during your evening hunts” said Pard.

Bubba didn’t say a word. He just sat there in amazement of the knowledge Pard had to offer. Also, he had never been in a place with more deer sign. There were droppings, tracks, scrapes, rubs, and the grass on outside edge of field was trampled down like they had just had a whitetail convention.

“Tomorrow after we get back from trading in the pelts I’ll show you a good morning spot. After all two days from now is the big day for you” said Pard.

“I sure do appreciate all that your doing for me” said Bubba.

The two of them made their way slowly back to camp. Pard cooked up another great meal. This time Bubba just enjoyed the meat. It tasted so good he didn’t dare ask what kind it was in fear of the answer. With the same routine as the night before and some more butt whoopin at cribbage the two headed off to their beds. Again Bubba noticed Pard reach under his pillow. He pulled out the same book and read a few pages. Then he layed quietly in bed for a few minutes before turning out the lantern. Bubba thought to himself, “ I wonder what that book is he reads every night”.

The two quickly fell off to dreamland from the long day amongst the deep dark woods of northern Maine.

Opening day of rifle season in Maine. All of us that hunt look forward to this day. This day means to each of us something very important.

As I sat in the woods during my morning hunt I began to think about previous opening days. Then it popped in my brain. This is the first year that my dad and I have not been able to go out opening morning. Of course, I had realized that he wasn’t going to be able to go this year. We had talked about it. My dad a few weeks back fell ten feet onto a concrete floor at work. He suffered from broken ribs, cracked head, and a dislocated shoulder. On Friday, the day before opening season he went in for surgery to relocate his shoulder. This of course meaning he wouldn’t be ready to shoot on opening morning.

For the past several years it has become tradition for dad and I to go hunting in Mariaville on opening morning. We walk up an old tote road to a power line. This is where we sit and rest. Oh yeah, and talk. Dad loves to talk. We then walk back down the same tote road to the car. This whole thing takes place in about an hour. We then take a ride around the loop and dad tells me stories of “the good old days” when he and his former hunting buddy used to go. He tells me the same stories year after year. Our hunt always ends with breakfast at Sylvia’s. I arrive home about 8:30. My wife every year says “your back already? Don’t you have to be in the woods to shoot a deer”?

I take hunting pretty serious and would prefer to spend the morning until lunch time in the woods. My dad’s view after hunting for 50 years is “i’ll take my gun for a walk to get some fresh air”.

Well dad, this year I took your gun with me for a “walk in the woods”. See I took dad’s 32 special with me on opening morning. As I sat there in the woods thinking about my dad laying in the hospital recovering from surgery my eyes filled up with tears. I looked at the gun and told myself “dad is with me today”.

Dad I can’t wait until we take that walk up the ole tote road next year on opening morning. Deer or no deer on opening morning is not what’s become important to me. What is important is that day my dad sets aside this day for me each year. He’s now 65 and eventually will not be able to make that trip. I realize that day is coming. The last Saturday in October, 2007 in my calendar book is already set aside for “hunting with dad” day.

Thanks for the great memories dad. Thanks for making opening morning special to me. I look forward to making more special memories of opening day with you.

Yesterday was opening day of rifle hunting for residents of Maine. It’s a day that I look forward to all year long. It reminds me of when I was a kid looking forward to Christmas. With the same excitement that Christmas brought me in that stage of life, hunting know brings to me in this part of life.

It all starts the night before. Laying out my hunting stuff I could almost feel my heart pounding in excitement. Holding the gun that I would use in my hands brought back memories of deer shot in previous years and hopes that past will replay itself this year. Then it was time to hit the sack early in order to get a good nights sleep. Yeah right!!!! I tossed and turned. Woke up saying to myself “it must be about time for the alarm to go off”. Then look at the clock to discover its 10:05 p.m. That scenario played out about ten times that night. Finally on the last time the clock read 4:50. My alarm was set for 5:15. I figured there’s no way i’m going back to sleep so i’ll just get up. I snuck around the house being as quiet as possible. Apparently that was not as quiet as I thought. I managed to wake my wife up first. Shortly after that I heard my 21 month old son stirring in his room. So I gathered him up and asked for a “good luck” kiss.

Since running across Mr. Buck a few weeks back my wife has kept a picture of him on her bedstand. As I was getting ready to leave she said “I wanna see this buck when you get home”. I chuckled out loud and said “we’ll see what we can do”. After a few more minutes with them it was time to set out to my spot. My buddy, Bruce and I had planned on meeting there at 6 a.m.

I arrived at about 5:50. Six rolled around and still waiting for Bruce. As I was sitting there I began to say “it’s really dark”. So thankfully my buddy showed up about 6:25. This was about perfect timing to start up the mountain. What this mountain hike showed me was that I am out of shape. Once on top of the mountain we split up, one heading right, the other left. Both ways produced lots of signs so it didn’t matter to either of us which we took. Bruce gave me the choice. I said “i’ll go left”.

Our plan was to sit, still hunt, and meet back at this spot at 10a.m. So each of us took off in our set up direction. Off to the left it was real easy to find a clearly visable trail where Mr. Buck had been travelling. I followed close by this trail, although not directly on trail for a short ways. I then came to a spot that looked appealing to me. So I sat down for awhile. To my back was the edge of a clearcut they had done a couple years back. To my front, the area that I was watching was a lot of small fir trees with some thick cover. I sat in hopes he would be travelling the edge of clearcut with the thicket close by for a quick retreat if he needed. After sitting there for about a half hour I decided to continue down to the left to check out more of the area. We had scouted the area one time. We did not however get down to far in fear of spreading our scent in the area. Our fear this would cause this big boy to go completely nocturnal before we had a chance to get in with our guns.

So I moved my way down about two hundred yards. Here off to my right was another incline in the mountain. To my left and straight ahead was an area that was semi open. This area although had lots of trees for cover. This seemed like a great spot to spend some time. I looked around and saw a blow down. I straddled this blow down with the roots behind me in order to break up my image. This area as I looked around really began to get my gears running. What a great opportunity. The deer have close cover to escape. The area just appeared to be an area they would frequently travel. As I sat in this area looking around I saw something orange on a tree about halfway up the incline. This made me file that in my brain and say to myself “after sitting I need to check that out”. So that’s what I did. After sitting there for about an hour I slowly moved my way up the incline. Much to my surprise it was marking for a hiking trail.

Now I say to myself “I climbed up a sheer cliff and there’s a hiking trail”. I walked up the hiking trail which offered some great views on both sides for catching deer moving through the ravines. After a short walk I reached the summit of the mountain. What a beautiful site. I promise next time i’m up there I will bring my camera and take a snapshot of that site. A little further up the trail I found an outhouse. “An outhouse on top of the mountain”, I asked myself. Then I found a road. Well apparently someone knows a much easier way than the rock climbing I did a couple hours ago. Walking down the road I eventually came to a sign that read “private drive”. At this point I stopped and turned around. The second spot I had set at drew me back. This time I sat in a different spot which offered a slightly better view of the area. With rocks from the mountain and fir trees surrounding me breaking up my outline I sat down for another hour or so.

It was now time to go meet Bruce. So I slowly moved my way through the area I had been watching. There were lots of deer sign and a pretty major trail by the looks of it. My buddy and I met and made our way down the mountain. Upon reaching the bottom the rain began to come down.

Neither of us spotted Mr. Buck or any other deer. Both of us very encouraged about the sign in the area however. Talking about our outing over breakfast we both decided that the rain came earlier than what had been predicted. Our belief is that the deer moved during the night knowing a heck of a lot better than us when the storm would arrive. So i’m sure that Mr. Buck was bedded down somewhere in that area. Rest assured this chess game will continue.

Rhode Island Division of Wildlife stocked 100 salmon in Carbuncle pond in Coventry this week. Carbuncle pond is 35 acres in size and offers on shore fishing as well as fishing from a boat. The great thing about this pond it offers access to disabled fisherman. What a great time Rhode Island fisherman will have landing these good sized salmon.

Those warning labels in your owners manual of your atv are important to read. In there somewhere or on the machine you will find weight limit. That weight limit is very important to pay attention to, as Michael Trenoweth discovered on opening day of rifle season.

He had some great luck harvesting a nice buck. With mother nature not cooperating on opening day he truly was one of the lucky ones to harvest a nice buck. His luck did turn however when transporting his trophy out of the woods.

Thank God neither of them were seriously injured. I’m sure today they are chuckling over the fact their deer flipped them over. I do hope they are alright.

Each of us learn from mistakes. Sometimes our mistakes, sometimes others. Lets all learn from this incident and pay closer attention to weight limits for our atv’s. They are not toys. They are machines that can be dangerous and should be treated as such.

Matthew 4:19 “Come, follow me”, Jesus said “and I will make you fishers of men”.

As I read this scripture I think to myself what does “fishers of men” mean. Well we find out that Jesus was calling these men who were fisherman to give that up and follow him. They would leave their lifestyle of being a “commercial” fisherman to become a disciple of Christ.

I think about our lives today and what this passage of scripture means to us. We certainly don’t all make our living fishing. Although, oh what a dream that would be. As I think about this scripture what it means to me is telling us that we are to follow Jesus, we are to be examples for him wherever we are. We all have a special calling that is designed only for us by God himself.

How do we become “fishers of men”. My own personal belief is actions speak way louder than words. Those folks that “blow wind” all the time about “religious” matters do not mean half as much as that person that quietly “lives” the word. We do this as sportsman everyday. We do this by obeying our laws and regulations. We do this by being courteous to others sportsman.

I hope that your fishing and hunting season is terrific. I hope we all land that dream of a fish and shoot that monster of a buck this fall. I also pray that each of us realize our special calling that is made for us. I pray that we become “fishers of men”.

Mark 8:34 ” Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me”.

We as hunters today have to face “taking a stand” in many ways in this age. So many groups are out there attempting to show their point of view in an effort to shut down something so many of us love. This certainly is their right and what makes America such a wonderful place to live. Just here in Maine think about the last couple years and efforts that have been brought to the voters in an attempt to change outdoor activities as we have known them for years.

We have had to take a stand for what we believe in. Not only in the outdoor world do we have to do this but in our everyday life as well. This scripture is telling us that when we become followers of Jesus we are to take up our cross. We are to stand up for Jesus and the work that he did on the Cross for you and I. I am not saying we have to be a fanatic. We are to stand up in our daily lives and our way of life to say “Jesus today i’ll carry that cross and follow you. Today I will put the flesh aside and look to you for direction. I will let your light shine through me in order to show a glimpse of you through my life.

Lord help me take up my cross for you. Let me set aside my flesh today and look to you for direction in my life. Let that be our prayer today.

Also, I wish each of us luck as we “take our stands” this fall during each of seasons we all partake of. Good luck in the woods and fields. God bless each of you.

I am interested to find out more about this story. Such as names, how long this has been going on, and where they have been poaching these moose.

People such as these really get under my skin. They should burn your butt also. Why? Because those of us that are honest sportsman who work hard to carry on the tradition of hunting and fishing get labeled in with them. These people are not sportsman. They do not respect the nature of hunting. They are nothing more than a thief. Why are you so hard on them? My pet peeve are people that steal. This is what these people have done. They have taken these animals illegally. They have stolen our reputation as sportsman. They are no better than that person you criticize for stealing from an elderly person.

Be honest when your out in the field. You owe it to yourself, fellow sportsman, and for the future of the sports that we love. As important you owe that respect to your rival, which being whatever game you choose to go after.

II Timothy 2:15: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth”.

Think back through your life to the “approved” outdoorsman that you have had the privilege of participating in an adventure with. Someone that you have watched on a television series or continued to read their articles in a specific magazine. We have marked them as “approved” sportsman. We have done this, as they have shown themselves worthy. This approval does not come easy in my book. I have enjoyed outdoor activities with a lot of people. A few of them I place in this category. I wonder if that same respect goes back towards me. Do they look at me as an “approved” outdoorsman? Will my son who I have introduced to outdoor activities view me as one of these “approved” sportsman? How wonderful it would be to be labeled an “approved” sportsman by people. This would mean I was knowledgeable of activities, that I was an ethical outdoorsman, that I stood for my beliefs and morals, and that I was willing to listen and learn from fellow outdoorsman. We all strive for this recognition.

How much more important is our approval from God? Do we strive each day to show ourselves “approved” in his eyes? You see, it sometimes becomes hard in our every day life. We as humans enjoy being “approved” by other people. It starts when you’re a young kid and continues through your life. Sometimes that approval comes at a cost to us. Those really hard times that we have to make a stand for something we believe in. We risk being disapproved from our friends or family members. I will admit it’s nice to have approval from people. Several times in my life personally I have chosen the approval of people over the approval of God. As I look back over those times it just doesn’t make sense to me now. My transition really came into place when I became a daddy. By the way has been the best experience in my life. My view of life instantly changed. I know look at the big picture. I look at the long run, one might say. Relating this to our relationship with God, my approval from man means nothing. My approval of God means everything. When I am done here on earth and make heaven my home approval from my friends will have no meaning. It is the approval of God that I strive for now. When I stand before Jesus that day I want to hear him say “well done good and faithful servant”.

Coming up November 4th will be youth weekend in Vermont. I have posted numerous articles on youth day across New England. I cannot express to you or say enough how very important this is to me. What a great chance to pass on tradition and spend time with our kids.

Over the past couple weeks Maine and New Hampshire hosted their youth hunt days. Reading articles, checking in with tagging stations, and hearing stories it seems as if both states had some success even though mother nature didn’t deal our youth the best hand.

Like our youth here in Maine and New Hampshire, I hope that our future hunters that will carry on tradition and fight to keep this way of life open to all those who are willing to participate great success.

If you aren’t excited as you have been in past years about hunting. Go take a kid. Talk to a kid about their first experience in the woods. There exuberance of energy and excitement will sure overflow to you. This just might be the spark you need to relight that love for hunting. I promise talk with a youth about hunting and th excitement in the air is contagious.