The October 2016 Issue of The Maine Sportsman

[dropcap]M[/dropcap]oose hunting gets fully underway in Maine this month, with lucky permit winners heading out with scent, calls, friends and family and often, a Registered Maine Guide. The cover of the October issue of The Maine Sportsman pays homage to this hunt – which grows more difficult each year – with a great cover photo of a huge bull and a yearling, grazing on plant life on the shores of an idyllic northern pond.

Inside, Jim Andrews in “Self-Propelled Sportsman” recommends getting away from the crowds in Zone 2, and hunting waterways in a canoe. Jim answers the question, “I’ve dropped a huge moose miles from ATV access – what do I do now?” Borrowing from lessons learned out West from guides who backpack out a kill from miles in the hills or plains, Jim describes the method of obtaining all the usable meat from the quarters, backstrap, brisket and neck – all without having to gut out the animal – then packing each portion in a designated game-bag for easy transport.

With archery whitetail season this month and the regular firearm season in November, our writers focus on the subject matter in a way that will help readers enhance their chances of success. Val Marquez (“Southern Maine”) discusses mock scrapes, and how (and how not) to use scent to sweeten them up. Joe Saltalamachia reveals insider information in his “Big Game” column, tellingly titled “The Secret to Killing Big Bucks.” Special feature writer Kerwin Whitney discusses 19-year old Deja Albert, who harvested big antlered deer in 2013 (217 lbs.), 2014 (a 12-pointer) and 2015 (a 10-pointer). Deja is currently out scouting, planning to continue her run of incredible success.

Is archery deer hunting from an elevated stand not challenging enough for you? Then take Chris Johnson’s (“Bowhunting in Maine”) advice, and stalk through the woods with your bow, stillhunting. And Ethan Emerson writes in his “New Hampshire” column that big deer gravitate to the Berlin, NH area, where some are harvested each fall by savvy hunters.

We don’t ignore motorized sports this month, either, as William Clunie (“Offroad Traveler”) describes scouting from his ATV, Shane Brown reveals three of his favorite ATV rides (Airline Snack Bar, Greenville and Presque Isle), and Cathy Genthner previews the 2016 – 2017 snowmobile outlook.

Upland bird articles, a great chipotle BBQ lasagna recipe from Kate’s Wild Kitchen, and plenty of letters and jokes round out this opulent issue.

And as always, remember – wherever you go, bring along your copy of The Maine Sportsman, so you and your friends can read about all the best our state’s outdoors has to offer! And it’s not too early to arrange for gift subscriptions to parents, kids and grandkids – call the office at 207 622-4242 and leave a message, or go to www.MaineSportsman.com and click on the “Subscribe” button on the top right of the screen, and we’ll do all the work from there.