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The August 2020 Issue of The Maine Sportsman

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Judging a Bear’s Size; New State Record Togue; and “Introducing your Wife to Hunting”?

Bear bait can be placed starting August 1st, and the general season runs August 31st through November 28th. What’s one of the biggest challenges for bear hunters? That’s right – judging the size of the bear you’re looking at! That’s because all bears look big when they materialize at the bait site. Read Steve Carpenteri’s “Bear Hunting Tips” in the August issue of The Maine Sportsman to learn how to gain perspective by making note of body characteristics (the ears of a big bear look round and are on the side of the head), and by comparing the animal’s overall size to known standards, such as the height of bait barrels.

Is it a tuna? No, but this photo gives you an idea of the immense size of the new state-record 39.2-lb. togue caught by Erik Poland, which stretched nearly the width of a pick-up truck gate. Here, Warden Brock Clukey inspects the monster. The Warden subsequently signed Poland’s application for record status. Photo: DIF&W

Breaking a state record for a trophy fish is rare, but even rarer is breaking a record that’s stood for 62 years. Well, that’s just what Erik Poland of Andover did when he hauled in a 39.2-pound, 44-inch togue! The Maine Sportsman, as the official “keeper of the records” for wild game and freshwater fish, certified the new record in time for the August issue.

And in these politically-correct times, who could ever get away with writing an article titled “How to Introduce your Wife to Hunting”? Why, our own “Maine Sportswoman” columnist Christi Holmes, that’s who! Her first lesson for husbands everywhere? Don’t assume she doesn’t want to be invited!

All this and much, much more, including:

·        Traveling off-road in your truck with your hunting dog, by William Clunie;

·        An elephant on water skis, in Jon Lund’s “Jottings”;

·        Choke and shot selection for upland game, by Michael Browning;

·        Must-have saltwater gear, by Steve Vose; and

·        A pictorial of successful Maine women hunters.

… And of course the best letters to the editor, the best cartoons and the best jokes in the world.

So enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! And get out there and (safely) give your business to restaurants, guides, sporting camps and outdoor supply stores as they work to offer curbside service and/or safe-distance shopping, expertise and accommodations.

We are still delivering or mailing our magazines each month to stores that are open or re-opening, so look for us at your nearest newsstand. And it’s also a great time to ensure your own copy (or a gift for your favorite outdoors-person) each month by requesting a print or digital subscription at www.MaineSportsman.com, or by calling 207-622-4242.

          Thank you for your continued readership support, and please take care of yourselves while enjoying all that Maine – and The Maine Sportsman – have to offer.

– Will Lund, editor
The Maine Sportsman magazine