Spring kicks off this month, March 20 to be exact, but the third month starts with plenty of snow and ice, looking like more of winter.
In the bottom third of the state, though, astute observers can see, smell, hear and feel spring coming every day unless a late storm beats the new season back.
• Snow melts in sunny, open spots, the wind carries a spring-like, fresh odor.
• Amorous skunks foul the night air.
• Newly returning birds add new notes to spring’s morning sounds.
• The thermometer rises as days become equal length to dark.
Observers who not only look but see note all the changes.
A new trend amazes folks who think about it. Winter and early spring fishing get more and more popular, and it’s not bait anglers who do participate, but rather, fly rodders. Go figure.
Crowds actually form on rivers such as the St. George where folks flock to hotspots such as the outlet below Sennebec Pond or Payson Park in Warren. Lifelong friendships begin in this snow-filled setting.
Smelters get out now on tidal rivers and streams and catch big smelts through the ice. A tiny segment of the population also fishes for tommycod now in coastal flowing waters. This sport proved bigger in the last half of the 1800s.
As the month wanes, inland smelters hit tributaries and outlets of rivers and ponds to catch the tiny, silvery baitfish, an old Maine tradition. Unfortunately, part of the tradition involves some folks drinking heavily, making the sport rowdy at times.
Calling coyotes at dawn and dusk excites predator hunters now because they have much milder temperatures than they did two months ago. Baiting these canines sweetens the attraction. Night hunters also take advantage of the warmer weather, but hey, it’s still plenty cold after the sun sets.
Fox season closes Feb. 28, so coyote hunters must watch the little red bandits now without shooting. From a management standpoint, it would not hurt the fox population to leave the season open through March. Predator hunting for wild canines draws a small number of hunters, explaining the reasoning behind that proposal.
As fields clear of snow, woodchuck hunters get out now and hunt those distant brown spots. This same crowd might take a pop at a crow, too, but serious crow hunters use smoothbores, camouflage clothing, calls and decoys.
Wildlife photographers really begin rambling this month as they shoot images of waterfowl, songbirds and eagles, a busy time for the naturalists among us.
White-water canoeing had a big spurt in popularity in the 1970s, but that has slowed in recent years. It’s a great sport, though, and it gets folks out early when spring melting and rain swells waters, making normally rocky rivers and streams a thrill now. Kayakers may outnumber canoeists these days.
It’s Showtime! And in the March issue you’ll find a complete rundown of all the exciting attractions at the 30th Annual State of Maine Sportsman’s Show, including a full seminar schedule.
And, if you are interested in the many issues facing Maine sportsman today, you’ll want to take part in our annual opinion poll. We want to know what you think, so be sure to spend some time and fill the poll out.
Naturally the pages are chock-full of great places to snowmobile and ice fish and plenty of information to help you be more effective in your outdoor activities. Publisher Jon Lund has put together a very challenging test of your knowledge about hunting and fishing laws. In the Jackman column, you’ll read an explanation of why coyotes up that way grow so big.
From a bait dealer directory to multiple gun auctions, you’ll find plenty to interest you in our March issue.
Posted on Friday, February 26th, 2010 by Maine Sportsman Categories:General Tags:March 2010 Issue
As far as cold and snow go, February offers more of January – about the same temperatures and snow as the first month…just more light.
In January, the average high temperature in Portland drops slightly below freezing but nudges above that mark in February, but who notices in the dead of winter? It still feels cold because much of the time, the thermometer does stay below freezing for much of the day, particularly when working folks are out on the job.
By the second month, though, snow has piled up from Kittery to Fort Kent. In early January, years do pass with little snow in the South Country early in the first month – say New Year’s Day and a week or two into the New Year.
Just how much more light do we have?
On the winter solstice on Dec. 21, Portland has nine hours and 47 minutes of daylight or about eight hours and 47 minutes of time between the actual sunrise and sunset, but by February 21, those time frames look vastly different when daylight lasts 11 hours and 38 minutes and 10 hours and 38 minutes between the actual sunset and sunrise. By March 21 on the spring equinox, the sun gives us 13 hours of light, depending on latitude, and 12 hours of actual sunlight between the sunrise and sunset.
By February, snowmobiling booms across Maine because of the assurance of snow, and North Country hamlets thrive now as folks flock to small rural settlements and fill motels and sporting camps, and in the process, sledders eat at all the restaurants and stock up at convenience stores.
Studies show snowmobilers are big spenders and rural Northern Maine depends on these folks. Snowmobiler dollars save places like Rangeley, Jackman, Patten, Fort Kent and other small hamlets that floundered in winters before snowmobiles became a fact of life in the Pine Tree State.
Ice-fishing, rabbit-hunting and smelting tidal rivers flourish now as do other snow sports such as snowshoeing and cross-country.
Winter reminds us of the late Bill Silliker who shot images of bald eagles, wintering deer and waterfowl such as the rather rare Harlequin duck that winters here. This man worked hard through the white season in the Pine Tree State, getting images that still run on The Maine Sportsman’s cover from time to time.
Not only can folks shoot wildlife photos now, but a group of aesthetic types loves to get scenic images now, particularly after a sticky snow that covers trees. No one can go wrong shooting scenes after a big snowstorm.
Two activities in a Maine winter never get enough coverage – despite their immense popularity:
• Folks tie flies through the winter while dreaming of spring, a fun pastime that fills those fly boxes that looked depleted last fall.
• Folks have long nights to cook fancy meals with the spoils from the woods and waters – and folks do get fancy with venison roasts served on china and accompanied by excellent French wine in crystal wine glasses.
What an exciting issue of The Maine Sportsman we have with the February edition!
First, there is an actual application for the Maine Moose Lottery found on Page 3. This is the official form, and when you buy your copy you can fill it out and send it right in to the Fish and Wildlife. You don’t want to miss your chance to take part in the most successful big game hunt anywhere in North America.
Second, we’ve got photos of the top 10 Biggest Bucks shot in Maine during the 2009 season. It is certain the deer herd was down last year, but some truly giant bucks were still taken by hunters who were in the right place at the right time.
Third, this issue contains our annual boating section and kicks off with an article that will help you decide what the best boat is for you, depending on your particular boating interests.
We’ve got the answer to the deer problem. George Smith lays out an action plan that must happen if Maine is ever going to restore deer to Northern Maine.
Add to that all the usual fabulous columns contributed by our outstanding crew of writers. We figure it will take you about eight hours to read all the articles in this issues, and what could be better when the weather outside turns nasty!
In December, snow may strike outdoors folks as an iffy proposition in the bottom third of the state, but come January, the white stuff will be smashing down. In the North Country, though, winter proves business as usual. Snow has been piling up since late November or certainly early December.
Ice forms on waters across much of Maine in December, and ice anglers can get out and fish now – even for trout and salmon. It’s catch and release though, until January 1.
One part of ice-fishing receives little press, but should. Tailgate parties before football games have nothing on meals on the ice. Fancy venison and sausage recipes, potato dishes and far more sizzle over campfires or camp stoves.
Snow brings on many activities this month, beginning with snowmobiling – a sport that has earned a critical place in Maine’s rural economy. Make no mistake, folks. Sledders are big spenders compared to cross-country skiers, according to many folks involved in outdoors economies in Maine and New Brunswick.
When snow flies, rabbit hunting picks up considerably. A good crust covered with a thin layer of fluffy white stuff from the night before creates ideal running conditions for hounds.
In late December ice anglers in the bottom half of the state obsess about ice thickness, wondering if it will be too thin come Jan. 1. That last week of the 12th month, though, seldom fails us north of Sebago. The ice may not be thick enough to hold a truck, but it can hold humans – and the sport takes off.
The first 10 days of January produce a good chunk of the winter fish that wind up in the One That Didn’t Get Away Club – trophy fish recognized by this publication. In fact, early in January and the first four weeks after ice-out produce far more trophy fish than fall ever does.
Coyote and fox hunters work field, lake and power-line edges now, calling on predator calls while hunkering behind cover. This sport often calls for long-distance shooting, so such calibers as a .222 Remington, .223 Remington, .22-250 Remington, .243 Winchester and 6mm Remington get the nod, but some folks say to heck with small caliber rifles and opt for a tight-choked 12 gauge.
January surely kicks off the smelt-fishing season along coastal rivers, and folks reserve shacks at commercial-smelting businesses.
Photographers get out now, shooting scenic images or wildlife, the latter often bald eagles, waterfowl, deer around feeding stations and dicky birds around feeders.
Yup, it’s winter, a long way from spring, and folks are making lemonade now out of the sour fruit called winter. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on Wednesday, December 30th, 2009 by Maine Sportsman Categories:Almanac • General Tags:January 2010
