Wild Turkey Season, Opinion Poll Results, Too-Wide UTVs and Two Views of Ethanol
Wild turkeys rule the roost in May, and the latest issue of The Maine Sportsman pays homage to this abundant and tasty bird, in honor of the May 2 opening day in most parts of the state.
Joe Saltalamachia (Big Game) gets the ball rolling by describing how, after he limits out each season, he lives vicariously through several close friends by guiding them to one or two big toms; Jim Lemieux (Greater Penobscot Bay) shows off a 22 ½ pounder from last season; William Clunie (Western Maine Mountains) is pictured with a big gobbler from the Androscoggin River Valley; Val Marquez (Southern Maine) provides a primer on how hunters can bag more turkeys by understanding their patterns and practices; and Steve Vose (Washington County) discusses various calls (including electronic calls), illustrating his column with a photo of his Mom, hunter Kathy Lloyd, and her plump spring-season 2015 jake.
The results are in from Maine’s largest annual poll of sportsmen, the Maine Sportsman Opinion Poll. Hundreds of readers offered their views on 42 issues, ranging from crossbows and fish management to wardens and national parks, and you can read the “yes” and “no” percentage totals starting on page 11.
Cathy Genthner and J.P. Falzone conclude their excellent ATV/UTV pieces started in the April issue. It’s J.P.’s turn to touch on a controversial topic – the sales of UTVs that can be fitted with tracks to meet the current statutory definition of a snowmobile, but which are too wide to squeeze through some snowmobile trail gates or across bridges.
Few subjects raise hackles like ethanol, and the Sportsman presents a fair and balanced discussion by inviting two authorities to set forth their positions – Bob Tardy, a consultant who counts biofuels industry producers among his clients; and Rob Brown, who deals with small engines and their problems in his role as owner and operator of Clark Marine’s three Maine locations.
Those who are not hunting wild turkeys this month are pursuing fish. Biologist Wes Ashe presents “Behemoths in the Belgrades,” telling of a huge, 31-inch mystery fish caught in Snow Pond; William Clunie in his “Rangeley” column proves the importance of taking a photo of any large trout you catch with no witnesses around; Shawn Simpson (Mid-Kennebec Valley) focuses on white perch; and Tom Seymour (Midcoast) goes for pickerel on light tackle.
We’ve got High Standard pistols; wood ducks; remote camps (Luke Giampetruzzi’s “home away from home”); black powder shotgun shells; bulls-eyes; “near-nuff” trout flies; massive NH smallies; Bill Sheldon fishing on his wedding anniversary; David Van Wie hearing things that aren’t there; big trucks; a real WWII spy story; a couple of great saltwater pieces; your letters; and jokes and more jokes.
What a great way to launch through spring and into early summer – thanks once again for coming along for the ride!
