New experiences for a better new year
MAINELY OUTDOORS
As old man 2015 shuffles out and baby 2016 crawls in, a lot of folks feel the need to make some major lifestyle changes.
Some are important, even life changing, a few are just plain crazy, and most don’t last through January, let along the entire winter. Age has moved me beyond annual resolutions. Over recent New Years, the sportsman in me delves into new outdoor experiences to make each annum more fulfilling.
My hunting and fishing focus has changed over the years. It used to be about how many and how big, now I release most of the fish I catch, shoot fewer birds and even pass up shots at mediocre big game. Camp life, camaraderie afield and the satisfaction of fooling a fish into striking a fly, a duck coaxed close by perfect calling or a bull moose enticed from hiding by realistic romantic cow call prove more rewarding. It’s far more important that our children and grandchildren have fish and game to pursue in the future, so practice catch and release or shoot with a camera rather than a gun occasionally.
Speaking of the next generation, make the time and effort to introduce a youngster or older neophyte to some aspect of the outdoors. Maine’s heritage and sporting traditions depend on mentoring family members or friends to keep traditions alive and extending into the future. Skillfully handling a fly rod or accurately shooting a bow are just the tip of likely teachings, perhaps some of you can train others to tie flies, carve a decoy, build a set of snowshoes, reload shotgun shells, build and blow a goose call, or a dozen other ancillary outdoors activities.
Just this past fall I hosted three first-time bear hunters. For one old friend it was his first-ever hunting experience, and each of them made good shots on their very first bruins. During my own 10 outings in my stand, I watched and photographed 16 black bear, but chose not to shoot any of them. It was still one of my most exciting and rewarding seasons thanks to the success of my friends.
For the last decade or so, I’ve tried to expand my horizons and comfort zone each year by exploring new cast and blast methods and locations. We sportsmen tend to get in a rut, fishing and hunting the same spots in the same way year after year, and to be truthful, it’s hard to argue with success. On the other hand the challenge and excitement of exploring a new waterway, field or forest can be extremely rewarding.
My wife enjoys a shopping trip to Portland a couple of times a year and perhaps a round or two of golf on a different set of links. I’m happy to oblige and spend my day casting for stripers in the ocean, sea duck hunting on coastline islands, or topwater fishing for largemouth bass. None of these options exist in Aroostook County, and most sportsmen already own the right equipment and even first-timers usually enjoy success. You can hire a local guide or explore on your own. Either way, these endeavors are habit forming. Don’t overlook spring and fall turkey season either as southern Maine populations of gobblers are increasing and locations expanding.
When hot weather dampens the trout and salmon action here in the Crown of Maine, don’t put your fishing gear away, just alter tactics. Purchase a downrigger outfit for your boat and do some deep trolling on local lakes. It’s not as interactive as casting, but some really big fish can be hooked and played and it’s far more rewarding than sitting home reading a book or mowing the lawn on a glorious summer evening.
I was over 40 years old before I even picked up a bass fishing outfit and caught my first smallmouth. Now, despite having to drive an hour or so south, topwater bass busting is a summer staple. These high-leaping, acrobatic, hard-fighting bronzeback are addicting to catch, and it’s not uncommon to boat and release 25 or more in an afternoon. When muggy, hot conditions keep local gamefish sulking, try bass casting. The fish won’t be the only ones hooked!
Perhaps, it’s time for an added challenge to your hunting technique; try bow hunting or maybe a crossbow. I’ve personally become a big fan of big game hunting with a handgun. Rather than a semi-auto or pump shotgun, I’ve switched to older models of side-by-sides or over-and-under scatterguns for waterfowling and upland birds. Use a 16 or 20 gauge rather than a 12 to further boost the thrill.
We have a whole new year ahead to explore uncharted territory. Try a kayak on a local stream, go coyote hunting for the first time, catch a fish on a fly or lure you made yourself, camp out and cook supper and make s’mores over a fireplace at a remote campground with the family. If you haven’t noticed already, with every passing birthday, the next year rolls around a bit quicker. Don’t waste time. Every outdoorsman should put some new endeavor into the new year. Happy and Healthy 2016!
