On their way back to camp Pard showed Bubba an old apple orchard that each year produced deer out of it. Pard walked Bubba in and showed him a tree stand he had placed in there.

“This is a good evening stand” said Pard.
They got back in the truck and headed towards camp. Within a half mile they saw a nice 8 point crossing the road heading into the woods adjacent to the orchard. They then arrived at camp and immediately headed out to check Pard’s traps. It proved to be another productive day in capturing 2 yotes, a bobcat and 3 fishers.

They then headed out the trail towards the dirt road heading towards camp. In the distance they heard a truck coming down the road. Pard thought to himself “that’s kind of strange”. Other than Pards camp the only other camp on the road was old trapper Williams camp. Trapper had died a couple years back and there hadn’t been anyone in camp since that Pard knew about. The two of them stopped and stood just out of sight of the road so as not to give away his line. Within a couple minutes a big pickup appeared barreling down the road. The first thing that stuck out to both Pard and Bubba was the amount of lights on the cab and bed.

“Reminds me of a Christmas tree” said Bubba.

“That’s what I was thinking” replied Pard.

For the next couple days they watched this “Christmas light” truck travel back and forth on the road. Each time there was only one guy in it. Pard couldn’t make out who it was due to not wanting to give away his location.

It was noon when they heard in the distance some hammering noise. It sounded as if someone was working on the old Williams camp. The two made their way down into the woods and from a distance watched a guy working on ole trappers camp.

“One of Trappers family members must be fixin the place up” said Pard.

“Bubba tomorrow is opening morning. You should go grab your tree stand and we’ll go down tonight and set it up”

“I have a self climber, no need to set it up before hand. She goes right up the tree as quiet as a church mouse” replied Bubba.

Bubba went and gathered his tree stand out of his pickup.

“This is the tree lounge. It’s so comfortable and easy to use.” said Bubba.

“That looks more comfortable then my old recliner in camp” Pard said.

That night the two of them sat around the table and shared hunting stories of old. Pard told Bubba he would have to go out and check his traps in the morning but he wouldn’t interfere with either area Bubba would be hunting in.

“Do you ever see anything while your checking your traps” asked Bubba.

“Oh quite often I’ll stumble upon one”.

Bubba climbed in bed in preparation of getting up early to get in his tree stand aways before daylight. While attempting to fall asleep he noticed Pard sitting in his chair this time reading that same book he read each night.

“That book you read each night, you must be about done with that” said Bubba.

“This book here” asked Pard?
“Yes”

“No this book has no end, there is always something new I learn from it” said Pard.

Bubba thought to himself what book doesn’t have an end. It must be some kind of study book for trapping he said to himself.

A couple minutes later Pard turned off the light and crawled into bed. Just before each of the guys dozed off Pard asked “do you need help finding that spot across the stream or can you find it”

“I can find that area with no problem” replied Bubba.

Bubba tossed and turned all night long like a kid on Christmas Eve. He envisioned a nice buck walking within site of his stand early the next morning. He woke up about every hour sure that it was time to get up and get out in the woods. Finally the time arrived it was 4 a.m. Bubba jumped out of bed as if there were springs in his feet. Pard seen him and kind of chuckled to himself. Bubba was so anxious he skipped breakfast and headed out the door.

“I’ll see you around lunch time” said Bubba.

“I’ll be here. I’ll be listening for a gun shot. If you shoot one fire your pistol three times and I’ll come over and give you a hand”.

“That sounds like a good plan” replied Bubba.

Then he was off like a beagle chasing a rabbit. He strapped on his tree lounge over his shoulders and headed over the stream. Making his way through the dark as quiet as possible. Within a few minutes he was at his location and found the tree they had previously marked. He took off his tree lounge and headed up the tree. Once he was completely set he began to pull up his gun. It was still well before light and he just settled in. He peeked at his watch and it was two minutes before legal shooting time. So he loaded up his gun. There was an abundance of wildlife running around. The squirrels were all over the place. Birds began to sing. The sunrise was the most beautiful that Bubba could recall.

The first day of season was finally here. The day that Bubba waited for all year. He kept thinking to himself how lucky he was to run across Pard. A guy that knows the area and had shown him a great morning and evening stand. Bubba planned to sit in his stand until about eleven that morning. Then he would go out and eat some lunch and head for the apple orchard about 1:30 where he would remain until dark. It was approaching 8:30 when he heard some leaves rustling over to his right. At first he thought that’s too much noise to be a deer.

“Could it be a moose”? Bubba thought.

Then all of a sudden there was complete silence. Then he would hear a twig snap or leaves pushed around every now and again. This got his heart a pounding and knees shaking in preparation that the big one was making his way down the trail towards him. He finally was able to pinpoint the noise. It was coming directly towards him out of the small patch of fur trees about 60 yards up the trail.

Then there it was, the source of the noise appeared standing 60 yards away from Bubba.

The two slept in until a late 6 o’clock the next morning. Pard was up moving about first. Bubba opened up his eyes to see Pard standing in the doorway.

“What are you thinking”? asked Bubba.

“Just planning the day ahead” replied Pard.

See this was a big day for Pard. He would travel into town to try his luck at selling his furs. In hopes that he would make enough to provide for his needs over the next month or so before he would be able to return to the big city of Mattawamkeag.

“What is the plan”? asked Bubba

“Well we need to scrounge up the furs and load them in the truck. Then we’ll make the trip to the dealer. Once there he will look over the hides and decide on a price. If I see that it’s a fair price he’ll give me some cold hard cash. Then I’ll need to run to some stores and stock up on belongings I’ll need. Hopefully I’ll make enough to supply for 3 months. See once I come back in during this time of year it could be that long before I make the trek back to town. If the money isn’t good enough for that I’ll buy enough for the next month and hopes that I can get back to town.

“Do you have enough to last do you think? Asked Bubba.

“I’m not quite sure. I have 17 muskrat, 9 beaver, 11 coyotes, 4 bobcats, 28 coon, and 7 fisher pelts. It’s still early in the season so not quite sure what Mr. Hubbard will be allowing on the pelts.”

“Well lets get them loaded and head into town” said Bubba.

“Gonna be a long day. We better grab a quick breakfast. Once we get back we’ll need to check our some of our traps” said Pard.

“Don’t worry about breakfast Pard. We’ll go out to eat in town, my treat” replied Bubba.

Boys Pard thought it’s been a long time since I’ve gone out to eat.

“Sounds good, if you don’t mind” said Pard.

“Least I can do for you showing me the area and letting me stay with you”. replied Bubba

“Let’s take my truck down to town; it will save on your gas” said Bubba.

“Well that sure would be a great help” replied Pard.

The two of them loaded up the pickup with the pelts and headed for town. One way town was about 52 miles. 17 miles of which would be dirt road. Of course the 1.5 stretch immediately out of camp I wouldn’t categorize as a road. It’s a trail.

“How long will the trip take”? asked Bubba

“It will take a little over an hour to get there. Then we’ll be in town for at least a couple hours. Then the trip back” said Pard.

“What are you needing for supplies? Asked Bubba.

“Oh golly geesh, I’ll need some batteries for the flashlight, propane for light and stove. Along with a nice box of wooden matches, lighter, pen with paper, a few canned goods from the grocery store, as well as a few other items while I’m at the grocery store. Let’s see, what else? I’ll need some scent, trapping supplies, and some ammo for the old 32 Winchester.”

After what seemed like a long ride already they finally reached paved road. On the way to town Pard shared a variety of stories stemming from hunting, fishing, family, and stories about him raising cane when he was younger. It seemed to Bubba at each bend in the road, each field along the way, and each house brought a smile to Pards face as he shared these stories. About a half hour later they reached Mattawamkeag.

There first stop was Pete’s Pelts. First thing Bubba noticed was it did not appear that this building was a business. It was run down with cedar shingles peeling off the walls and roof. There was an old tin sided shed that the wind had blown half the tin off.

“This guy is a good business guy? Asked Bubba.

“Yes sir, the best. It doesn’t look like much. He’s the fairest, most honest and hard working guy you will ever meet” replied Pard.

They walked through the front door and there was fur and pelts everywhere. It took a couple trips but the two of them was able to get all the pelts in.

“Wow, looks like you’ve had a decent month there Pard” said Pete.

“Well I’ve seen worse and seen better” replied Pard.

“Pete let me introduce Bubba to you. He’s been with me in camp for a couple days. He’s from down along the coast. He’d rented the old Moore camp for a week but ran across me. I figured I could use the company and this greenhorn to the area could use some help finding them wiry whitetails.”

“Howdy do” replied Pete.

“Nice to meet ya” said Bubba.

“What have you got for me”? asked Pete.

“ I have 17 muskrat, 9 beaver, 11 coyotes, 4 bobcats, 28 coon, and 7 fisher pelts” said Pard.

“These are some nice looking pelts. Still early yet and a lot that I’ve been getting in aren’t worth the time put in for them. These though are your usual Pard. You never cease to amaze me.”

Pard just smiled with anticipation of how much Pete would offer him.

“What do you figure is fair for these Pard? Asked Pete.

“Oh I have no idea, you’re the expert Pete.

“Like I said these are some nice pelts for this time of year. The coons still aren’t worth a lot. Fishers need to go up more. But I think a fair price for the lot would be $1926.00. That sound like something we can work with?”

Pard thought to himself that’s the best month I’ve had for awhile.

“Yes, yes, yes that will work”. replied Pard.

“I also will need to get a few things off of you for the next month, maybe even three.” said Pard.

“Well pickup what you need and we will minus that from the money and give you the left over” said Pete.

Bubba noticed that Pard was walking around with a little extra skip in his step.

“Was that a good run” asked Bubba?

“Oh was it ever.” replied Pard.

“Well to make it a little better on you I’m gonna buy all the stuff you need for 3 months” said Bubba.

“Oh no, I couldn’t let you do that” said Pard

“I didn’t ask. I told you I was going to do it. It will all be worth it when you put me in a hot spot for a nice deer” said Bubba.

“And don’t go light because I’m buying either” added Bubba.

So Pard walked around there picking only the things he needed up. Inside it felt as if he was a kid again on Christmas morning. After picking up all that he needed Bubba paid Pete and shook his hand and said “thanks for making my friends day”.

Pard shook Pete’s hand and said “I’ll see you a little after the New Years I reckon.”

Pete said “I’ll be looking forward to seeing what you have for me”.

“Let’s go get us some breakfast now” said Bubba.

So Pard pointed him in the directions of Mrs. Meyers place. Pard could taste them homemade biscuits. He began to drool thinking about how moist and tasty they used to be.

“You’re gonna love Mrs. Meyers cooking” said Pard.

Upon entering the small diner it was apparent this was the local hang out for the good ole boys. After a bunch of introductions the two of them sat down at the long breakfast bar. They ordered up breakfast and talked about their adventures. Pard caught up with the town folk. After stuffing themselves it was time to get over to the grocery store.

“Bubba, I enjoy coming to town. Mrs. Meyers breakfast is top notch. But, I understand why I love to live in the woods. What a bunch of bullheads those people are”.

The two of them laughed all the way to the grocery store. They finished up their shopping again Bubba treating Pard.

“Lets go over to Sam’s Sporting Goods” said Pard.

Again on the way Pard shared stories with Bubba. Each time he would share a different story he would chuckle to himself under his breath. Bubba could see the sheer joy on his face. Bubba began to think Pard really enjoyed his life now being in the woods but he sure missed the times he spent living in town also.

They arrived at Sam’s. This was a log sided building that was immaculate on the outside. Inside their were mounts of all kinds of animals. There standing behind the counter was Sam. Sam was older gentleman who from his face it was apparent that he had lived a full life.

“Hey there Pard” said Sam.

“Hello Sam. Been keeping busy? Asked Pard.

“You know it’s that time of year” replied Sam.

At this time Sam kind of chuckled and pointed to a slender fella over in the corner looking at deer lures. He had city slicker written all over him. The slicked back hair. Sideburns halfway down his cheeks, cleanly shaved and whitened teeth that would blind a ghost. The three guys each laughed to themselves about this city slicker picking up and smelling each of them.

This young fella then walked over and purchased a whole bunch of lures, calls and other supplies. This guy was already decked out in his blaze orange vest and hat. He had on that 600 dollar scent loc suit freshly purchased from some sales catalog. He said “I’ll take all this stuff and I need some ammo”.

“What kind of ammo will you need” asked Sam?

“I’m hunting with a 308 semi auto” replied the man.

“Oh, well here’s some good ammo that will hopefully work for you” said Sam.

Pard added “your not from these parts are you”?

“No, I’m from Atlanta. That’s in Georgia”

“That gun would work great for you in Georgia. Them semi’s up here in the back country tend to jam up in this cold weather though” said Pard.

Sam added in hopes of a gun sale “yeah, I hear story after story of them semi’s jamming up right in the heat of the hunt”.

“What do you guys hunt with? Responded the man.

“Well there’s lots of good calibers. But you want a nice bolt action for this neck of the woods” said Sam.

“I swear by the 270” added Bubba.

“Well let me get a 270 from you with some ammo for that as well”.

Sam rung up the sale for the southern city slicker. He then pointed him out back to a gravel pit.

“You’ll wanna site that puppy in before opening day and there’s no time like the present”.

The city slicker made his way out to the gravel pit. The three guys stood on the back porch and watched this guy shoot. For a city slicker it was apparent he had spent some time shooting. Within a short time he had that 270 rung in to a saucer plate size circle.

“Well that’s a heck of a gun” said the man.

“I told you. It was the best investment you’ve ever made, I guarantee” added Bubba.

As the city slicker made his way out of the store each of the men just grinned and never said another word.

After saying their goodbyes Bubba and Pard made their way to Pard’s parents house for some lunch. After about an hour Pard said “we gotta get back to camp; still have them traps to check”.

All the way back to camp Pard shared different stories about the area. The two of them also chuckled and laughed about the city slicker and how he appeared as green as the springtime grass.

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.

Well folks the first chapter of Pard, Bubba, and Billy Bob came out today. This is a fictional story about activities that each will partake of in the great outdoors. Even though these characters and stories are fictional, it just might be some are based on things I have observed while at camp or in the woods.

This is just for some fun. Sit back and enjoy. Don’t take it to serious, it’s all in fun.

Chapter two will be posted next Sunday. There will be a chapter on the lives of these three characters on each Sunday.

It was back in the Fall of 1998 that for whatever reason the Lord let these two fellas paths cross. I guess it was October 22 of 98. You see Bubba had taken some time to travel up to the great north Maine woods. He had found him a nice little camp to spend the week in. His plans consisted of shooting a few partridge, get away from home and just sit back and relax. Well this camp was a ways off the beaten path. It so happened that Pard had one of his trap lines run along near the camp. This camp had no electricity or plumbing. It was a one room shanty. Heated by an old woodstove. Had an outhouse that appeared to be a day or two older than God’s dog. It was closing in on lunch time when Bubba spotted the old camp a few hundred yards away. As he drew closer to the camp Bubba said to himself “ayuh, that camp must be abandoned”. He thought that will be a nice warm spot to stop and have some lunch. So he walked around camp checking through the windows. There was no sign of anyone living there. Bubba walked through the door. It was then he discovered a coffee pot, blankets and some trapping gear strung out all over. As soon as he realized that someone must be occupying this camp he turned around to boot feat outta there. Just as he was breaching the front door ole Pard came out of the outhouse.

“What are you doing in my house”.

“I’m sorry I thought it was an old abandoned camp”.

“Well its not abandoned. Do you make a habit of going in abandoned camps”.

“No, it was just coming on lunch time and I thought maybe I’d get in out of the cool air for a bit”.

“Well I guess I can understand that. The name is Pard”.

“If you can choke down your lunch amongst the smell of the cover up scents I use for trapping, your more than welcome to come in and put your feet up for a bit” said Pard.

“Oh, thank you that is very kind of you”. “The name is Bubba. I’m from down along the coast”
The two of them then walked back into the cedar shingled cabin. Bubba took the time to look around and noticed there in the camp was a single bed against the back wall. On one of the side walls was two bunk beds. Each having bedding on them. A old wooden table set in the middle of the room covered with traps and scents. There was an old wood burning stove that had gone cold. It was one of them stoves that served the dual purpose of heating the camp as well as providing a place to do the cooking. The walls were plastered with pelts. There was some mounts of a whole variety of animals as well. The camp sure wasn’t much to look at but had the feel of a great hunting camp.

“Do you use this camp often” asked Bubba.

“I come up here as often as I can”. “Ever since I was a little kid. My grandpa owned the camp and would bring me up. He is the one that taught me to put a worm on the hook, shoot a gun and taught me about trapping”

“What do you trap for”.

“I run a few for beavah, a whole bunch of traps for coyotes, bobcats and fishah.”

“Pretty much all of the fall and part of wintah I spend here at camp” said Pard. “Also, summah time there’s no betta fishin than right out front there”.

“Man, your lucky. How do manage to get your wife to let you get away so much?”

“That’s an easy one”. “I don’t have one to have to get permission from”.

“What brings you up to these parts anyways?”

“I’ve been hauling a bunch of traps and working a ton I thought I’d get away for the weekend.”

“Oh, you one of the lobstah fisherman?”

“Yes”

“I was hoping to do some scouting for deer hunting while I was here. Thought I would try my luck at some birds while I was doing that.”

Well the two of them sat and talked back and forth for the next couple hours. Each sharing stories of their lives back and forth. The afternoon time snuck away on both of them as dark began to set in.

“Where you staying at?”

“I’m gonna find me a motel room somewhere close by” .

“Well you can stay here at the camp if you want. It’s not much, but there’s a bed that you can call your own”.

“Thank you very much. Are you sure I would not be intruding?”

“Don’t be silly”

“If you don’t mind getting up early Bubba I’ll show you around the area tomorrow as I go and check on my traps I have set out”.

“That would be great, give me an idea of where to go hunting too”.
Well the next morning Pard was up might early. At 4:30 he was stoking the stove getting the camp up to a warm temperature. He then went down to the stream to fill the coffee pot. Came back to camp to boil the water for some coffee.

Bubba heard Pard moving around and quickly got out of bed.

“What can I do to lend a hand Pard?” asked Bubba.

“You can light that Coleman stove” replied Pard.

Bubba went over and lit up that gas stove. He then grabbed the eggs, bacon, and pre-cut home fries out of the cooler. Just as the coffee water began to boil the smell of breakfast was filling the air. Each of them filled their plates and cups and sat down at the table.

“Gonna be a nice day out thaya isn’t it deah? Asked Bubba.

“Sure seems like it. When I went outside there was no wind. The sky was bright with crystal clear sky and stars” said Pard.

After finishing up breakfast Pard packed his day pack with traps, lures, and other necessary items needed for that day. While this was happening Bubba ran down to the stream to fetch some water for dishes. He used the remaining water heated for coffee to add to cold water from the stream and did the dishes up.

“Well Bubba you about ready to head out?” asked Pard.

“Yip, I’m a ready to go” replied Bubba.

The two of them set out heading downstream in a southerly direction. They walked for about a quarter mile before coming across a small sand pit.

“I have a yote trap set up on the top of that pit, lets check it out” said Pard.

When they arrived at the trap site it was apparent something had triggered the trap and was caught. The trap was a drag trap. Attached to it was a 6 foot chain. Well the end had caught up in a real thick fur tree patch. Even on your knees you couldn’t see in more than a foot. Pard gave the line a tug and felt some resistance.

“Bubba, pull that there line”.

Bubba pulled the line and felt the same resistance.

“Pard, Pard, there’s something on there. What do you suppose it is? Asked Bubba.

“It’s gotta be a coyote dog” replied Pard.

“What do we do now?” asked Bubba.

Pard reached down and pulled the line again. This time with a little more force.

“Boys he’s a fighter, he must be hung up good in there. I’m gonna take this stick and kinda go around the side and push it through there see if I can’t make him come out front.” Pard said.

“What do you want me to do”? asked bubba.

“You haul on that line and keep some tension on it”.

Bubba gave it a good pull and felt the coyote pull back real hard. Pard had made his way around with the stick. Bubba was pulling for all he was worth with the coyote matching his pulling. Then Pard caught hold of the backside of that yote dog and he sprung out of that patch of furs like a cannonball. With Bubba pulling for all he was worth that coyote came flying out straight at him. Bubba panicked and let go of the line and when he did he fell straight back. He rolled down the bank of the gravel pit over and over. When Pard came around the corner he saw Bubba laying flat on his back at the bottom of the pit. Pard discharged the coyote. He then hollered down “Bubba, you alright down there?”

Bubba shook his head as to say I’m not quite sure yet. He then stood up and checked if his limbs still worked. He walked up top again and said “Pard, your one crazy son of a gun. Pulling on a link of chain with a coyote at the end is not for me”. Pard chuckled to himself.

They finished checking the trap line with the only catch of the day being the opening trap with that coyote in it.

Then they headed back to camp.

Well let me start out by telling you a little bit about two of these characters. They are not your average everyday kind of guys. They are the kind of guys that after you meet you say to yourself. “Self they cannot be real.”

Pard is a 38 year old man who grew up in a northern maine town. I’m pretty sure he spent most of his time in the woods. I know for sure he prefers the animals and mother nature to any one person. Pard quit school in the 7th grade. He just didn’t understand how all that was going to benefit him on the streams, fields, and trap lines one bit. Pard lived at home until he was twenty-five. He spent all his time fishing, hunting, or trapping. He would work around town doing odds and ends to make ends meat. Pard he has just a few slices of hair on his head, not a tooth left in his mouth. He might shave and shower on every other Saturday, whether he needs it or not.

Bubba he’s a lobsterman from down along the coast of Maine. Bubba has reached the ripe old age of 42 just last week. Bubba spent most of his time on a boat. He did manage to graduate high school. Of course, only him and Lord know how that happened. Bubba was able to capture him a mighty pretty girl whose stayed by his side for 22 years now. He spends most of his time chasing after whitetails in the fall. Attempting to grab hold of them natural brookies during the spring time. Bubba had two sons who today are fisherman carrying on the family tradition.

Well i’m writing this to let each of you know that soon on Outdoors with Norm there is going to be a weekly story telling. It will involve three good ole boys and their endeavours in the great Maine woods. There will for sure be some belly laughs to be found, a lot of shaking of your heads and not a dull moment to be found with these three characters I promise.

I will be posting first part of this series on Sunday, October 22nd. Billy Bob, Bubba & Pard sure hope you’ll stop in for a check in with them.