Current state record for ESOX NIGER….The Chain Pickerel is …..6lbs 13oz.

                                                              

               4lb./29 inch pickerel                       Maine Pickerel Distribution Map

     I have to admit I have a pentient for warmwater fishes.   From a very young age I pursued them from my home in Houlton. Among these species are the usual fare. White and yellow perch, pickerel, sunfish, bass, and not to be forgotten, the lowly American Eel.   All of these except for the sunfish are commonly eaten around here in the spring and early summer. The eel is a delicacy among our Acadian French from Fort Kent/Madawaska. The perches are caught through the ice all winter, as is the pickerel and the bass as well. But in the warmer months the same anglers who chase them and eat them all winter ignore them in open water.

Part of that has to do with a parasite that is common among certain species of these fish. This “worm” invades their flesh and quite honestly makes eating them unappealing. Although not a threat to humans the idea of eating anything “infected” with anything is not a popular activity.

Among these species there are some very notable state records that I vowed to break someday. The current record Pickerel is 6lbs.13 oz. and I think I have honestly eaten that one at least once. That’s a pickerel in the area of 33 to 35 inches. Another record of note is for Yellow Perch, and that’s 1lb. 10 oz.  There are several lakes around Southern Aroostook that boast large populations of these dandy fighters. In one of them is this 15 incher that will set a new record…right here in Aroostook.    

As an avid angler I think the pursuit of a record is sort of a hamless ambition. After all when your spouse asks you why you fish so much. You can tell her you are trying to set a new record, and get your name in the history books. A footnote in this life you can leave to your kids….that says that you mattered and did something of note on life’s canvas.  The truth is it’s just an excuse to fish, and if you thought any of this babble was true….. you have a sad life and should seek counseling or attend church more often. Your life has greater meaning than that and you just need redirecting to see it. 

There are some species that have the bar set too high to make it worth the pursuit. The smallmouth record and the white perch records as well. The idea is to attempt the achieveable.  Here are some of the stats from MDIFW. Species currently fishable in Aroostook County. (Sunfish are not listed here in because the state does not maintain records for that species.)

1.     Muskellunge: 26 lbs. 8 oz. caught in 2001 by Allen Dufour in Glazier Lake

2.    Smallmouth Bass: 8lbs. by George Dyer in Thompson Lake  in 1970   

3.    Pickerel: 6lbs/12.8 ozs. Joseph Arsenault in Androscoggin Lake in 1992

4.    Yellow Perch: 1 lbs./ 10ozs. by Chad Mostats in 1989 in Worthley Pond

5.    White Perch: 4 lbs. 10ozs. by Mrs Earl Smith in Messalonskee Lake in 1959 ..IGFA record

6.    Fallfish(aka ..Chub): 3lbs.12ozs. by Wayne Morey in Sibley pond in 1986

 Being a realist I only see three  of these as being even slightly attainable. The pickerel and the yellow perch records have been broken a number of times by anglers out for some chowder fish or a few fillets. The strangest record is the one for Fallfish  aka…Chub. Yes…..I said chub. Seems somebody decided that chubs were more notable than the redears and bluegills. So now we have a record for “Fallfish”. If you google it you will see that a fallfish is nothing more than the “Chub” we catch when trout fishing that steals your bait.      

So here are your target species:

 

 A supersized “chub”……aka Fallfish….although unedible they grow quite large.

                         

            Airborne!!!!!!!

 

YellowPerch pushing 15 inches and 1lb6oz are fairly common according to MDIFW

Now if you have followed my train of thought throughout. You see that we 3 possible records to pursue. Just like the bassman, most anglers like a little competition. The quest is in effect a competition and you are your only competition. Take the challenge and go fish your home lakes and streams. Somewhere out there is your chance at celebrity and it is swimming out of reach if you don’t pursue it. Think about it you could single handedly bring notoriety to your lake as warmwater mecca and financial windfall awaits the guy who sets the record. Speaking engagements at the pickerel convention, pickerel tours, and P.A.S.S. memberships for life. You could do for pickerel what Roland Marten has done for bass. Imagine …Pickerel Anglers Sportsmans Society magazine and TV shows.  Dare to dream !!!!! Go Fish !!!!!!

   Here is a little more information on the parasites mentioned earlier. Should you decide to keep anything to cook up later. (Courtesy MDIFW) 

Black Spot (Crassiphiala bulboglossa) in Perch and Pickerel

Volume 2, Issue 10 September 2000 Updated November 2002

Sand grain sized (sometimes larger) black spots on the skin of yellow perch (Perca flavenscens) and chain pickerel (Esox niger) are usually caused by a small immature larval trematode parasite named Crassiphiala bulboglossa. “Black grubs,” “Black spot disease,” or “Neascus infection” can be found in many different fish species, and is fairly common and widespread. The unsightly condition may be caused by several different species of parasites.

The digenetic trematode parasite lives in three different host animals during it’s life. The final host for the adult trematode C. bulboglossa is naturally the Belted Kingfisher (Ceryl alcyon). Adult worms live in the bird’s mouth where they produce eggs. The eggs are swallowed, pass through the digestive system unharmed and are released into the water with the kingfisher’s feces. The eggs mature in water and release the ciliated miracidia, which then swim away and penetrate the appropriate molluscs (Helisoma sp.). 

These molluscs are the first intermediate hosts of the trematode. In the molluscs, the miracidium grows to become a redia (a saclike animal with a pharynx and a gut), which may produce either cercariae or sporocysts (sac-like animals with out a pharynx or gut).

The cercariae actively penetrate and migrate into the tissues of the second intermediate host, which is most often a fish. When a cercaria penetrates and migrates into the tissues of a fish, it causes obvious mechanical damage and hemorrhaging. The damage caused by one cercaria is negligible, but in greater numbers they may kill the fish. After the cercaria has localized and transformed into a metacercaria, little subsequent damage occurs, unless enough metacercariae accumulate that their collective mass interferes with the fish’s metabolism. The infected fish must be eaten by the final host to complete the trematode’s lifecycle. The worms are hermaphrodites having both male and female organs.

There is no practical treatment or control of this parasite available at this time.

Special points of interest:

• C. bulboglossa does not infect humans, although a related species has been found in humans, several other mammals and birds.

• Black grubs can be found in many different species of freshwater fishes.

• C. bulboglossa can live for 4 years in a fish.

• Cooking fish kills the parasite.

  Note: These same parasites can and will infect cold water species…. commonly located on brook trout                                  

Here in the next few days most of Maine and beyond will be anxiously awaiting the results of the Maine 2007 Moose Lottery. This year the results are to announced on June 14th, tomorrow.  I like most of my neighbors here in Aroostook are trying to get one of these much sought after permits. If you have never had Moose meat you can never really appreciate the colunary exquisiteness of the lean and tasty meat. At an average of over 600lbs, and a yield in excess of 300lbs of meat. The Moose represents a vast source of good and nutritional meat. Today especially where we are so concerned about diet and nutrition. The Moose meat acquired from these hunts represents a superior dietary source of protein. Not the fatty and steroid laced beef we are all trying to avoid, or at least cut back on. Venison and moose are fantastic alternatives to the feedlot critters. So unless you raise your own beef, hunting is your next best source for healthier meat supplies. 

There is a vast amount of knowledge to acquire before you can just go out and kill your moose. The first and hardest part is getting the permit. If you didn’t apply this year, thanks for increasing my chances.  I would suggest you start by reading the following information from MDIFW.

MOOSE

by Jennifer Vashon
Wildlife Biologist

Physical Description

The Latin name for moose, Alces alces, means elk and in Europe and Asia moose are called elk. However, in North America, Alces species are called moose. Four subspecies of moose are recognized in North America. The eastern or Taiga moose is the subspecies found in Maine.

 

During Maine’s fall hunting season, the average adult cow weighs 600 lbs (dressed) and the average adult bull weighs 800 lbs (dressed). Large bulls weigh over 1000 lbs, dressed. The total length of a moose is about 9 feet and height measured at the shoulder is about 6 feet. The front hoof width is about 5 inches for a prime bull, just under 4 inches for a cow, and just under 3 inches for a calf. A cow has a brown face and dark body and a bull has a black face. Both cows and bulls have “bells”, skin flaps found on the neck. A cow’s bell looks more like a tuft of hair, whereas a bull’s bell is larger and rounder. Some bulls may have an additional tuft of skin extending below the bell, but it is believed that this extension freezes off. A bull’s antlers spread rarely exceeds 65 inches and a spread of 55 inches is considered good. Antlers on cows are extremely rare. Calves may have small buds by late September, yearlings may have spikes or small forks, and palms typically first develop in 2 and 3 year old bulls. Maximum antler development is obtained at age 5 and declines when bulls are in their teens.

Did You Know… A lactating cow has the highest nutritional requirements of any moose and eats over 66 lbs. of browse a day? A cow may leave her calf periodically, but will return to it? A previous injury or poor nutrition can cause deformed antlers? Moose can move each ear independently? Moose can also move each eye independently? To see an object below them, a moose must tilt its head downward or twist its eyeball downward?

Natural History

Habitat. Bulls and cows use somewhat different habitats during the summer, which is a tradeoff between cooler temperatures for bulls and the requirements for raising calves. Bulls are typically found at higher elevations in mixed and hardwood stands, where food supply is less available, but shading provides cooler temperatures. Cows are found at lower elevations in regenerating stands and adjacent softwoods, because food is more concentrated. This concentrated food source limits the amount of time cows spend feeding, which limits calves vulnerability to predators. Moose typically winter at higher elevations where more hardwood browse is available, and they often feed in regenerating stands. Mature softwood is used as cover when snow depth exceeds 3 feet.

Food Habits. Moose subsist on browse, the leaves and twigs of woody plants. Willow, aspen, birch, maple, pin cherry, and mountain ash are important, high quality browse utilized year round by moose. Because leaves are absent from hardwoods in the winter, balsam fir is an important winter food for moose. However, moose can not survive on balsam fir alone, because it has lower nutritional value. Fire, wind throw, insects, and forest practices, such as clear cutting, promote disturbance and regrowth of these important forage trees. Sodium is also important to moose. Aquatic plants, such as pondweed and water lily, have a higher sodium content than woody vegetation and are an important part of a moose’s diet. As a result, moose have reduced the number of aquatic plants in much of northern Maine. Natural salt licks are rare in Maine, so moose are often seen along roads using the salt runoff as an artificial salt lick.

Reproduction. The breeding season for moose begins in late September and last into early October. Cows may produce their first calf when they are two, and most produce a calf by age 3. Each May, cows give birth to 1 to 2 calves. Cows rarely have more than 2 calves and young cows rarely have twins. A cow’s nutritional condition determines the number of calves born and when a cow first breeds. Moose continue to breed into their teens, but are less productive. Calves remain with their mother for one year and are driven off shortly before the next calf is born. Bulls are able to breed as yearlings, but most do not breed until they are older and can compete with other larger bulls.

Hunting Tips Prior to the moose season, sight in your rifle. Moose often appear closer than they are, because of their large size. Keep this in consideration when estimating the distance to the moose before you shoot. Be prepared to get your moose out of the woods.  Rope, come-alongs, pulleys, a chain saw, and waders can be indispensable on your hunt. Quartering your moose will make it easier to haul and will reduce the risk of your meat spoiling. Skinning your moose, or filling the chest cavity with ice, will also reduce the risk of your meat spoiling. A 30-30 can be used for shooting a moose, but it doesn’t have the range of larger guns.  A larger caliber gun (308, 30-06, 7 or 8mm) may improve your success and reduce the possibility of wounding a moose.

Survival. Moose die from a variety of causes: legal and illegal harvest, road kills, other accidents (drowning, falls, etc.), predation, disease, starvation, and old age. Harvest and road kills account for 2,000 to 2,500 moose deaths a year. Predation of adult moose is low, because predators capable of killing adult moose are rare or absent from Maine. Black bears, which are common in Maine, are potential predators of moose calves. Three parasites can cause mortality in moose in Maine: brain worm, winter tick, and lung worm. Moose infected with brain worm almost always die, but winter tick and lung worm infestations rarely kill moose.

Longevity. The average life expectancy is 8 years for a cow and 7 years for a bull. Moose may live into their late teens, but rarely live past 20.

Historical Management in Maine

Distribution and Population trends. According to writings of early explorers, moose were plentiful in New England during the 1600s. By the early 1900’s, moose populations in Maine had declined to an estimated 2,000. This decline was mostly attributed to unrestricted hunting. Clearing forestland for farming and increased incidence of brainworm attributed to increasing deer populations also contributed to their decline. Deer are host or carriers of brainworm without suffering any ill effects. During the 1900’s, laws protecting moose from excessive hunting, and improving habitat conditions, allowed the moose population to increase. The moose population is currently estimated at 29,000.

Harvest Trends/Statistics

Season Changes. Prior to 1830, there were no laws restricting the harvest of moose. Moose could be hunted statewide, all year, without a bag limit. In 1830, the first law established an open season of 2 months. Over the next 14 years, from 1830-1844, the season length ranged from 2 to 8 months. Moose hunting was not allowed from 1875-1879. In 1880, the moose season was reopened. A bag limit was first established in 1889, which limited each hunter to one bull. From 1889-1915, the season length varied from 1 to 3 months. In 1915, the moose season was closed statewide. The season was reopened in 1919 for a short 11 day season with a 1 bull bag limit. The season continued to be closed and reopened periodically from 1920-1936. When the season was open, only one bull moose per hunter could be harvested during a 6 day season. In 1935, the season was reduced to 3 days. Then in 1936, the moose season was closed and remained closed until 1980. During this 54 year season closure, several bills were introduced to reestablish a moose season. In 1979, a moose hunting bill passed both houses and was signed into law. This law allowed the MDIFW to issue up to 700 permits to Maine resident hunters in 1980. A 6 day season was set during the last week of September 1980 and was restricted to an area north of the Canadian Pacific Railroad. A bag limit of one moose of any sex or age was allowed. A law was then enacted which allowed annual seasons of up to 1,000 permits (with a provision that 10% of the permits could be issued to nonresidents) north of the Canadian Pacific Railroad. In 1982, 1,000 permits were issued. A bill that expanded the moose hunting district was passed in 1985 and went into effect in 1986.  Since 1982, the number of permits issued and the area open to hunting has increased. The number of permits issued increased to 1,200 in 1994, 1,400 in 1995, and 1,500 in 1996 and subsequent years.  A bill that increased the maximum number of permits to 2,000 in 1998 was passed in 1997, and, in 1999, moose permits were raised to 3,000, with 500 of those earmarked specifically for “antlerless moose”.

Table 1. Success rate (% of permits filled) of Maine moose hunters by zone and year.    

Moose Hunt Zones
Season	NW	NE	CE	SE	SC	SW	SO	ALL
1980	No Zones Established							91
1982	Moose Harvest Not Registered by Zone							88
1983	57	66	78	65	95	92	-	74
1984	67	78	82	83	94	91	-	82
1985	73	86	89	86	98	98	-	88
1986	65	85	90	72	100	91	-	86
1987	64	90	96	78	98	98	-	89
1988	84	93	92	82	98	100	-	93
1989	82	95	93	85	99	97	-	92
1990	74	88	93	75	97	98	-	88
1991	90	99	97	89	99	98	-	96
1992	78	93	94	79	98	96	-	91
1993	80	95	96	85	98	99	-	93
1994	85	96	95	88	98	98	-	94
1995	78	94	93	88	98	99	-	93
1996	76	96	93	87	100	96	-	92
1997	81	93	92	88	98	95	88	92
1998	85	95	91	90	98	99	95	93
1999	80	87*	88	81	96	91*	92	87*
2000	73	84	87	78	99	88	94	85

* In 1999, success rate in the NE zone was 93% for hunters with any moose permits and 74% for those with antlerless permits.  For the SW zone, success rates were 95% and 84%.  Overall, 89% of hunters with any moose permits killed a moose and 79% of those with antlerless permits killed a moose. The breakdown by permit type of 2000 is not yet available.

Table 2. Maine statewide moose harvest from 1990-2000.

Season	Males	Females	Unrecorded	Total	Number of Permits	Success Rate (%)
1990	705	177	0	882	1,000	88	1991	740	219	0	959	1,000	96
1992	702	206	0	908	1,000	91
1993	766	168	0	934	1,000	93
1994	950	176	0	1,130	1,200	94	1995	1,054	249	1	1,304	1,400	93
1996	331	1,050	3	1,384	1,400	92
1997	1,071	303	0	1,374	1,500	92
1998	1,458	408	0	1,866	2,000	93	1999	1,836	781	2	2,619	3,000	87
2000	1,625	917	10	2,552	3,000	85

Past Management Goal and Objectives. During the 1975 and 1980 planning process, a harvest goal was established, but population size, and nonconsumptive use goals were not established. An objective of 1,100 to 2,200 moose harvested annually was made to meet the harvest goal.  During the 1985 planning process, goals to maintain moose numbers at 1985 levels (21,150), increase harvest, and maintain viewing opportunity were established. Population, consumptive, and nonconsumptive objectives were developed to meet these goals. The Population Objective is to maintain moose populations at 1985 levels in all WMU’s through 1996. The Consumptive Use Objective is to increase harvest to 1,000-1,400 moose per year or whatever level is needed to maintain populations at 1985 levels. The Nonconsumptive Use Objective is to maintain opportunity to view moose and decrease unsuccessful viewing trips by 50%.

******************************* End Of Report ****************************

Now that you have read your Moose Hunt History and success ratios over the last 26 years. You can see how well the management plans and goals have worked.

Here is the Official Zones Map:

 In the legend at the bottom are the seasons:

Week 1 Northern Zone; September 24th -29th 2007

Week 2 Northern Zone; October8th -13th 2007

Week 2 Southern Zone; October 8th – 13th 2007

Animal identification is critical here during these short seasons. Don’t laugh, but can you tell the difference between a cow and a bull. You would be surprised the number of experienced hunters who have had a lapse of judgement and fired before they could see if it had horns or not. I have a long time friend who took this “confusion” to an absurd low. A few years back he and his brother in law went out after his moose. They found him in short order. One to one side of the wetland he was hiding near, one to the other. Tim shot, the bull staggered and went down.  Losing sight of it for a moment they approached to see if it was dead. Up jumps a moose from the vicinity of the Bull, both men fire.

Not more than 40 yards from them are their wives video taping the hunt. Both women are flailing the air with their arms and hollering at the men. It was clearly audible on the tape that they were warning the men that the second moose was not their bull but a cow he was tending.  So locked into their own world were the two hunters they will freely admit they ignored their wives, who both heard but didn’t listen to. Now they have two dead moose, and a phone call to make. 

The wardens gladly confiscate the cow, and could have taken both. Write up a citation for the “illegal” killing of the cow, fining both men for the acts. The resulting video tape of the men plainly not adhering to their wives warnings for whatever reason was all a judge would need to make this a far more serious matter than it was. They caught a break and got off with a fine, that both men split. Learning a valuable lesson on “Target Identification”.

If they had waited until they could clearly see the head, or the wound, they would not have shot the second moose. Both agreed after the fact that in the heat of the moment they made several critical errors. They should have withdrawn after the initial volley and then tracked the bull after twenty minutes to a half hour. In this case the bull died where he stood, so there would have been no tracking to do. But the delay would have given the cow a chance to leave and them a chance to calm down. 

So learn a lesson from this and not only be sure of your target, but be sure not to chase after it immediately. Always wait at least twenty minutes after the shot if the animal disappears. If you can clearly see it laying dead in plain sight this does not apply. But approach all downed game with caution. The last thing you want is a confrontation or to spook a wounded animal to run off. Due to the large size of a moose killing it as near to a road or field as possible is best. Aiding in the speedy recovery and transport of the animal.  But Maine law allows you to quarter the animal if needed to avoid spoilage or waste of the meat.

Just Remember to head for the “nearest” tagging station once it’s loaded and you are headed out of the woods. The data they retrieve at these stations is critical to proper management. If you elect to deceive your fellow hunters by taking a backway home to use another tagging station. So they won’t know where you hunted. Remember you may be in violation of the law and are providing misleading locational data to the department. Which could result in them not using the data correctly for the actual area you were in. Which could lower the permits given to that area do to lower population figures as a direct result of the lower kill rates in those areas. Although permits are allocated to zones, the locales are each calculated into these figures to achieve a baseline population density desired. Across the board totals are how they decide to cull, but each locale has it’s own inherant population. Fudging these numbers could adversely affect the moose herd and hunting. Keep your spots to your self but report to the nearest to insure the data is accurate.

I’ll be adding more on the hunt as time gets closer. So come back and click on the “Hunting” category to read the updates.

SledMaine has what you are looking for, just locate your town or area and give the club a call or email.

There is a time honored method in Northern Maine for trout fishing in uncharted and unfamiliar waters. We get in the brook and wade. Simple isn’t it? Just follow the brook from the juncture of a known point out into the vastness of the wilderness beyond. The part that amazes me most, is the sheer number of people who won’t leave the comfort of their canoes , boats and 4×4’s to enter the brook and enjoy the new opportunities it leads to.

I think part of the reason that so few anglers still fish this way is quite simply due to their own laziness, or misdirected energies leading them to pursue satisfaction from catching larger and larger fish. I call it the TV TROUTERS SYNDROME. If they can’t watch it on TV then they ain’t interested in it.

I personally love the adventure of tracing a brook back into the unknown. Around each bend is a new adventure. Will this undercut bank and it’s shaded foot of water hold the biggest brookie seen so far. Or will the hole only yield the nibble of a “jasper” too small for the creel.  The fun here is in reading the water and anticipating the lairs of the trout. Where are they and how best to get the worm or fly to ‘em to get ‘em hooked.

Along the way you get to see the unexpected appear from time to time. A moose crossing the brook. Or a huge bear track.  Or a big buck’s crossing point, so worn down you know he’ll be here in the fall.  Not to mention the prestine beauty of a wilderness beaver pond.  Alot of these brooks get dammed up by beavers, and these secret hotspots go undetected.

What to bring:

1. Waders/Hipboots – Neoprenes are the best there is, but where a pair of shorts under them or you will get cooked. I prefer the hipboots, since three feet of water is alot of water in the back country during summer. Most of the time these are all I need and don’t limit my angling opportunities enough to merit cooking in neoprene, or baking in rubber chest waders. But be advised, wear something to wade in or you may find yourself wading through a leech infested deadwater at some point. Looking like a Redcross blood donor to all them leechy things.

2. Bug Dope: If you haven’t been in the Northwoods during summer you haven’t witnessed the carnage of an inexperienced tourist being bled out by hordes off hungry blackflies and deer flies that think you are the “all you can eat” buffet.

3. Fanny pack with a lunch, water, and toilet paper. (If I have to explain any of these to you, stay home and let your mommy take care of you.)

4. Creel/Tackle: How you carry your gear is up to you as long as you know you have to wear it and not carry it. Keep your hands free for safe wading.

That pretty much sums up the gear requirements.  Options include bringing your cell phone for safety reasons, using a GPS to lock in game trails for hunting season , and a camera to take picture of your adventure.

I’ll be honest with you, most of the trout in these wilderness brooks are hardly going to break the 6 inch mark. You’ll throw back alot more than you keep. With that in mind pinch down the barb on your hooks. It makes releasing the fish alot easier on them. Or just go barbless to begin with.

The experienced brook fisherman will soon locate the best runs as he or she works their way upstream. Circle around hazards as you must and try not to throw a shadow over likely water. Watching the sun’s direction is key to success in these little waters. fish from either below the pool and cast above and reel to keep ot slack. Or fish from above and drift the morsel down in the most natural way you can. I have walked upstream and downstream. Walking down seems to work best in water that is not crystal clear and makes the trout less skittish. The dirt you loosen from the bottom seems to make them more likely to hit anything they see in that cloud. A more natural presentation to them. But casting upstream and stripping a nymph back is often better than the downstream presentation. The downstream presentation is most effective with worms.

Now on the subject of worms, is the bait spinner required. Honestly, I prefer the spinner. But have fished with alot of people who go blank and catch alot of fish. There are some who debate the merits of the nightcrawler over the angle worms. I say use what you want and have faith in. If you know nothing of these things than try all the options until you know what works for you.

Remember, for the most part you will only be casting about ten to twenty feet at most. Unless your fishing a beaver pond/deadwater. Light line is the rule, about 6 lb test,  or go down to 4lb.  if you prefer. For the most part I do little casting at all on these close quarters brooks. Instead I go with a pitch technique or dapple my trout out from under log jams and undercut banks. These pendulum casts are all you need to put the worm or nymph in the right spot.

Seems like a minor detail, but give a moments thought about how you are going to react to a hit prior to pitching your offering. Trout will wiggle free of a hook so swiftly once you lift them free of the water you had better have a plan, or you’ll never land a fish. I try to lift them , and set the hook in one motion. A quick snap of the wrist and a pull up and back brings them up and out from any obstruction with ease. Get them to hand swiftly and release the small ones immediately. If at all possible don’t touch them at all. A quick shake over the rushing water and they usually fall back into the brook unharmed and unfazed. I grasp the hook with fingers or pliers and a quick shake sets them free with a barbless hook.

I look forward to hearing from any of you “brave adventurers” who dare to fish the wild places as I do. Dawn you hippers and dig some worms. Tie on a spinner and a #6 baitholder. Then meet me on a brook back in the wilds of Northern maine looking for spring water brook trout fat with bugs and worms. Post your stories here in my comments section……. and together we will share the secrets of the ages with the young, dumb and inexperienced.

In the following pictures you will see why rabbits in Maine grow overly large. Everyone knows that our deer grow big on beechnuts, our moose grow large on beechnuts and leaves and our bear are beyond compare on beech as well.

                

Kinda scary if you think about it…like an old “B” movie.

Now for the Dumbest Bird On Earth Award………

                                  

This little hen turkey sat there in that spot on the side of the road and made no effort to leave. Allowing my buddy Ivan to get within 3 or 4 feet of her to take these pics. At first we thoufght she was sittin’ some eggs or keeping her chicks guarded and warm. Nope…… just plain stupid, stupid, stupid!!! She stays right there in that area ….. and probably will, until the dumb bird gets hit by a truck!!!

ATV Program

Welcome to the Department of Conservation ATV Program! We are working to help organize clubs and establish trail systems to help solve landowner/user conflicts. We have several programs designed to assist clubs, towns, and landowners.

If you are interested in starting a club or want information on existing clubs and programs you can contact the ATV Coordinator by E-mail or call 888-386-3288 in state or (207) 287-4958 out of state.

If you are looking for information on ATV registration or safety training courses please contact the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Registration Division at (207) 287-2043 or the Safety Office at (207) 287-5220.

Most of the hundreds of miles of ATV trails located throughout Maine are on private land and are maintained by local clubs. Cooperative agreements between private landowners, ATV clubs, and the Bureau’s ATV Program are key to the success of the trail system. The state association organized to represent Maine ATV clubs is ATVMAINE.

It is important to note that without the use of private land, most trails wouldn’t exist and your ability to ride is a privilege that is grant to you by the landowner. Please respect their wishes and their land as if it were your own: Remember that many of these trails are not open during mud season. Please call ahead before riding in the spring. TREAD LIGHTLY!

Several state-owned or leased abandoned rail beds are available for multiple use, including three-season ATV use, such as the Aroostook Valley Trail, the Bangor and Aroostook Trail, and the Jay to Farmington Trail which are all owned by the Bureau of Parks and Lands. Three additional ATV trail systems are maintained by the ATV Program. They are the Mt. Blue, Turner, and Summerhaven use areas. Many of these trails are maintained for multiple use which includes mountain biking and equestrian use.

Many of the Public Reserved Lands road systems are open to ATV use. If ATV use is allowed on a road it will be marked with a shared use sign. If there are designated ATV trail systems they will have the regular ATV trail signs on them. If roads or trails don’t have these signs then ATV use is prohibited!
The Department of Inland Fish & Wildlife Game Management Areas roads are generally open to ATV use however, remember to always tread lightly and be respectful of other users of these properties

• The ATV Program has funding available in the form of Club Grants and Municipal Grants to help in the construction and maintenance of atv trails. We also provide insurance to protect landowners and clubs involved with ATV trails. In addition we provide signs and have guidelines so that trails are basically all marked the same. These services are all provided at no cost as part of the program which is funded by a portion of the ATV registration fee.

Additional information and trail maps of some areas are available from the ATV Program at the Bureau of Parks and Lands, 22 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333.

Welcome to
The Maine Campground Reservation System

Important changes were implimented 9:00 AM, February 1, 2007 that will affect the way we process your 2007 Maine State Park campground reservation. As always, we are dedicated to providing quality service to our camping customers, and hope these improvements will add to your state park experience.

Please Note: The Allagash Wilderness Waterway, The Penobscot River Corridor, Acadia National Park and Baxter State Park are not part of this Reservation System. For more information on The Allagash Wilderness Waterway or The Penobscot River Corridor call (207)941-4014 or visit the website. Call Acadia National Park at (207)288-3338. Baxter State Park can be reached at (207)723-5140.

We look forward to your visit to Maine State Parks. 

Sincerely yours,

Charlene Daniels, Supervisor
Campground Reservations

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Starting 9:00AM, February 1st, 2007
Make a realtime online reservation for your camping party only.

Tips for using the Maine State Parks Reservation Public Website System

To make a reservation for your camping party and/or another camping party please call our call center to speak to one of our representatives:

• Within the State of Maine: 1-800-332-1501
• Outside the State of Maine: 207-624-9950

Aroostook State Park
	Click to enlarge
Description Aroostook State Park bears the distinct honor of being Maine’s first state park. In 1938 interested citizens of Presque Isle donated 100 acres of land to the State of Maine, and following that gesture, the park became reality in 1939. Today the park totals nearly 800 acres thanks to subsequent donations and purchases.Aroostook State Park is the ideal starting point for discovering the North Maine Woods, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, and the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec. Encompassing Quaggy Jo Mountain and Echo Lake, the park offeres a unique chance to study our geologic past. In fact, Quaggy Jo is the shortened form of its Indian name, Qua Qua Jo which translates to twin peaked. Location Echo Lake, west off U.S. Route 1, south of Presque Isle Operation Dates Open All Year. Fee Charged Facilities Campsites, a showerhouse, and a beach with a lifeguard are provided in season. A kitchen shelter built with loon license plate money can be used by campers daily during the summer season. Please contact the park for information on group use of the kitchen shelter. Echo Lake is stocked with Brook Trout and public boat access is available. Hiking trails and canoe and paddleboat rentals are popular activities. Groomed cross-country ski trails are available in the winter. Groomed snowmobile trails also cross through the park. Access Rating Good Access Telephone Aroostook State Park 87 State Park Road Presque Isle, ME 04769 (207) 768-8341

Miss the sled trails ? Click on this to get a summer refill ………Aroostook Sledding

Just curious to see how many Mainers have climbed our mountain.

1. Where on the mountain…… what trial?

2. What did you see that left the greatest impression ?

3. What’s an “URT” ?

4. What’s your favorite climb ?

5. Any tips for new hikers on your trail of preference ?