I didn't go back through my past blogs, so I'm not certain how much I have mentioned if at all about the Penobscot County Wildlife Conservation Association of which we are involved with. Therefore I will give a brief rundown on the topic. The PCWCA was officially formed in February 2010 with the mission to protect, preserve and promote the Whitetail deer herd, which is in great despair in Northern Maine due to over harvesting of deer yards and habitat, heavy predation and to some effect, the severe snowfall and winters of 2007 and 2008.
As an organization, we are in the fledgling stages. There are two other associations in two other counties in Northern and Northeastern Maine, which we are modeled after and trying to learn from with some assistance. The PCWCA actually began with a group of concerned sportsmen and guides who have witnessed the severe decline in the whitetail deer in our region. They sponsored a coyote contest with a four category payout, with the purpose of trying to take care of the predator aspect. The eastern coyote is running literally rampant in Maine. They are not a native species to the State, and was introduced in the 70s. In my opinion another great failure of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife which is struggling terribly with budget shortfalls in the millions as was reported last night by out local State Representative. They are aware of the situation, but have basically handed it over to the sportsmen and women of the State to step up and help.
Now as a sports woman, that is fine...to a point.....I do not mind doing more to help protect and promote our wildlife as any guide has a responsibility in a sense to be a conservationist and a wildlife manager. I truly believe in that cause. However, as the result of a continuing failure, I feel that the department should do more in the area of assistance to the sportsmen and women of the State to come forward and help, regardless of the tree hugging anti hunting groups that are always biting at our heels. After all, what is truly important; protecting and managing our natural resource or pleasing someone who just doesn't get it. I'm aware this is an area of great controversy to some; however it is not a point that I want to argue over with anyone. I'm a hunter and I feel empowered by that very fact, so I will not bend.
Anyway.......I had suggested at the last meeting of the PCWCA that we must branch out for more members and support. I have felt that thus far it has been a bit one sided, that is the eastern side of the Penobscot River, possibly for no more reason than, hey, I live on the Western side of the Penobscot and well, Penobscot county is a big place! I suggested we go and give a presentation to the Fin and Feather Club of Maine, who's home base is in the town of Millinocket. I'm familiar with this group which really has some history for standing up and fighting when necessary for the rights of sportsmen and women, and Maine residents. They are nick named the " Access group". They have fought hard for free access to lands that were promised to be so to the residents of Maine. Their latest effort is being placed upon Baxter State Park, which started charging residents an access fee into a park that the deeds of trust states will forever be free to the people of Maine by Governor Percival Baxter, the parks founder.
We were invited to come to their December meeting, which was last night to address their membership, and we were welcomed in like old friends. Well, I guess maybe we were old friends considering, however Big E and I have not attended a meeting for several years. I now wonder why....
Ed, the associations President, and I gave a run down on what we are all about, and the why of it all and found were indeed amongst friends. The meeting went absolutely fantastic. Questions were asked, suggestions made, and complete support given. However I feel that the most successful, or the best part so to speak, was the people.....Their strength as a long standing organization; their dedication and most of all their camaraderie. They welcomed us in and treated us like family, listened and offered their help. I simply can not say enough about them..and rest assured I will not miss so many meetings and time anymore. Before we left, we had 6 new members and kind donations. I have no doubt that these people will be our biggest supporters of our cause, because that is the kind of people they are!! They have a web site, google Fin and Feather Club of Maine. We are amongst friends....I left that meeting totally elated!! The holiday spirit I have been lacking was well replaced with a warm heart, and I know no better feeling than that.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
It is all about the experiences....
Thus far we have had snow and a fair amount, only to have rain and very warm temperatures, and now have bare ground once again. I don't know if I will ever get used to these changing weather patterns and I bet the animals are wondering just a bit about it too.
I don't know what it is, but it seems that when I look back to when I was young; winters were much different through the eyes of a child. We prayed for snow days, and we didn't have to pray too hard. I can remember winters when the snowbanks were as high as the power lines and everyone had a snow fort in their front yard. Of course life was much easier then. When one is that young, there are no worries about the oncoming seasons. We didn't worry about getting all the firewood into the shed, banking the house, and cabins now. We didn't worry about how we were going to stay warm or the cost of heating.
Now, that we are adults, and much older, preparing for the oncoming seasons have become a job and it truly depends on your approach as to how you feel about it. Some, move south to avoid the chores of winter preparation, while others stick it out. My sister went south, and we often have friendly arguments and banter back and forth about the fact that I still don't feel the need to head in that direction. I still enjoy the changing of the seasons with the dramatic effects Mother Nature provides in this region. A blizzard simply means to me to get the flashlights and candles ready, cook up a big stew, and pick out a good book. Of course Big e always has the gas lanterns set, and we have a good pile of wood by the wood stove so we don't have to venture out into the storm.
Another piece to the puzzle of life that has at least occurred in myself, is to look at the seasons in yet another way as I have aged. Part of my spiritual journey; the wheel of the year. I look at the life cycle of everything and it's purpose. They call this wisdom and it has overflowed into every aspect of my life. I appreciate the seasons.
All of these things have added to the richness of the adventure and also into my life as a hunter and a guide. There is no greater gift of appreciation than when someone else looks at me, smiles, and says "OK, I get it". Ahh...Mother Nature at her best. Enjoy the seasons of your life folks. Take this time to gently pull back, look at the year behind you, accept it with joy and then relax within the blanket of winter and look to the Spring for new life and new adventures. After all, it is true....It is all about the experiences. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New year!!! Oh and as always Happy Hunting!
I don't know what it is, but it seems that when I look back to when I was young; winters were much different through the eyes of a child. We prayed for snow days, and we didn't have to pray too hard. I can remember winters when the snowbanks were as high as the power lines and everyone had a snow fort in their front yard. Of course life was much easier then. When one is that young, there are no worries about the oncoming seasons. We didn't worry about getting all the firewood into the shed, banking the house, and cabins now. We didn't worry about how we were going to stay warm or the cost of heating.
Now, that we are adults, and much older, preparing for the oncoming seasons have become a job and it truly depends on your approach as to how you feel about it. Some, move south to avoid the chores of winter preparation, while others stick it out. My sister went south, and we often have friendly arguments and banter back and forth about the fact that I still don't feel the need to head in that direction. I still enjoy the changing of the seasons with the dramatic effects Mother Nature provides in this region. A blizzard simply means to me to get the flashlights and candles ready, cook up a big stew, and pick out a good book. Of course Big e always has the gas lanterns set, and we have a good pile of wood by the wood stove so we don't have to venture out into the storm.
Another piece to the puzzle of life that has at least occurred in myself, is to look at the seasons in yet another way as I have aged. Part of my spiritual journey; the wheel of the year. I look at the life cycle of everything and it's purpose. They call this wisdom and it has overflowed into every aspect of my life. I appreciate the seasons.
All of these things have added to the richness of the adventure and also into my life as a hunter and a guide. There is no greater gift of appreciation than when someone else looks at me, smiles, and says "OK, I get it". Ahh...Mother Nature at her best. Enjoy the seasons of your life folks. Take this time to gently pull back, look at the year behind you, accept it with joy and then relax within the blanket of winter and look to the Spring for new life and new adventures. After all, it is true....It is all about the experiences. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New year!!! Oh and as always Happy Hunting!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
In General....
A very beautiful and cold morning here, the thermometer says 14 degrees. I have been up, let the shibas and Ozwald out, Stoked the house fire, made the coffee and headed out to the garage to stir up the coals out there. Our beagle puppy stayed the night with us, and has his very own little dog house Big E and Tyler made. I needed some beagle loving so we brought him home last night, therefore I grabbed a cup of coffee, and headed to the garage this morning for some more. I think I'm spoiling him just a wee little bit as he just wanted to be held and cuddled this morning and I certainly obliged. What sweetness!! So now both the homefires are burning and things are getting toasty once again.
Yesterday I went out to the shooting shack and spent 4 hours with no success other than to read another 5 chapters in a book that was lent to me, titled "The Purification Ceremony" by Mark Sullivan. Now this is quite a book and sitting in the woods in a shooting shack adds a little something more to it in fact, it would probably give most more than the shivers!! I so enjoy the peacefulness of it all.
Big E is still trapping bunnies for a couple beagle clubs in Southern Maine, however he must get the snowmobile tuned up as I don't know how much longer we will be able to get around on the woods roads that are not plowed. Four wheel drives are great, but even after a while, they are in more danger of getting you stuck out in the cold and a long chilly walk out. Not good!! However I will be honest, Big E, even though I have threatened him many times in the past 30 years, has never made me have to walk out yet!!! I better start knocking on a lot of wood!!!
The bunny trapping is what led to the beagles. Big E has been wanting to get another hunting dog for quite some time and I have been resisting not because I don't enjoy hunting hounds, but because of the 6 dogs we currently have. After all if one thinks about it, where can one go with 6 dogs!!! Therefore over the years, well..we haven't gone anywhere with 6 dogs, and they, true to their breed, have created a solid pack that are not sociable and do not play well with others; dogs that is.The shiba's are my little pack of heathens and although they are extremely loving and playful with people, they are death on another animal. They have caught mice, moles and squirrels and believe me it is not pretty. Last winter, Ozwald, my akita was following a mole, putting a big paw down and it would jump and scurry. I got the bright idea to get my camera and let the shiba's out to play, well.....it lasted less than 30 seconds; I didn't even get the camera turned on before it was over. Thing is, I had got pictures of them hunting the week previously and had no idea how short of an adventure this would be. Anyway....So I had been refusing to give into Big E on the hunting dog idea.
In the past, we used to raise hunting hounds for bear, coon and cats, ( bobcats)and did so for over 16 years. Truly there is nothing like a well trained hunting hound that knows his business. I knew each and everyone of their traits, the way they trailed, the changes in their barks which told me what part of the hunt they were on. I knew strike, trail and tree, and if you have never experienced this, it is impressive. Big E bought me a beautiful Black and Tan coonhound from Tennessee one Christmas and I must say, this was the best present I have ever received. Never mind the diamonds. I named him Rowdey Tennessee Pup, and called him Rowdey for short. True to the breed, he could bawl. Big E preferred the Treeing Walkers. So we always had a bit of a competition going on. His Walker, ironically, Bud Dog, was what I call a yipper until he treed, which he would sit his butt down at the bottom of the tree and fast chop. Rowdey on the other hand would bay on the track about every 10 feet; just put his head in the air and bawl. Once he treed, he would let out the longest ole bay telling me " momma, I got him, I got him, then just bawl steady. I loved it!!! Big E would call him a slow southern ground pounder, as speed was not his talent; it was a cold nose and he could pick up a track a week old I swear and follow it, for miles some times. So I missed the working dogs...What convinced me to give in was some pictures of beagle puppies, and I made the mistake of showing Big E....
So that is how we ended up with beagle puppies!! We have a special pen for them, so that they can play without any danger from the little pack of heathens. It takes a bit more work;let the shibas out, bring them in, and let the beagles out, bring them back in......Oh well keeps us busy and better than having nothing to do. Don't they say that is what keeps us young???
Yesterday I went out to the shooting shack and spent 4 hours with no success other than to read another 5 chapters in a book that was lent to me, titled "The Purification Ceremony" by Mark Sullivan. Now this is quite a book and sitting in the woods in a shooting shack adds a little something more to it in fact, it would probably give most more than the shivers!! I so enjoy the peacefulness of it all.
Big E is still trapping bunnies for a couple beagle clubs in Southern Maine, however he must get the snowmobile tuned up as I don't know how much longer we will be able to get around on the woods roads that are not plowed. Four wheel drives are great, but even after a while, they are in more danger of getting you stuck out in the cold and a long chilly walk out. Not good!! However I will be honest, Big E, even though I have threatened him many times in the past 30 years, has never made me have to walk out yet!!! I better start knocking on a lot of wood!!!
The bunny trapping is what led to the beagles. Big E has been wanting to get another hunting dog for quite some time and I have been resisting not because I don't enjoy hunting hounds, but because of the 6 dogs we currently have. After all if one thinks about it, where can one go with 6 dogs!!! Therefore over the years, well..we haven't gone anywhere with 6 dogs, and they, true to their breed, have created a solid pack that are not sociable and do not play well with others; dogs that is.The shiba's are my little pack of heathens and although they are extremely loving and playful with people, they are death on another animal. They have caught mice, moles and squirrels and believe me it is not pretty. Last winter, Ozwald, my akita was following a mole, putting a big paw down and it would jump and scurry. I got the bright idea to get my camera and let the shiba's out to play, well.....it lasted less than 30 seconds; I didn't even get the camera turned on before it was over. Thing is, I had got pictures of them hunting the week previously and had no idea how short of an adventure this would be. Anyway....So I had been refusing to give into Big E on the hunting dog idea.
In the past, we used to raise hunting hounds for bear, coon and cats, ( bobcats)and did so for over 16 years. Truly there is nothing like a well trained hunting hound that knows his business. I knew each and everyone of their traits, the way they trailed, the changes in their barks which told me what part of the hunt they were on. I knew strike, trail and tree, and if you have never experienced this, it is impressive. Big E bought me a beautiful Black and Tan coonhound from Tennessee one Christmas and I must say, this was the best present I have ever received. Never mind the diamonds. I named him Rowdey Tennessee Pup, and called him Rowdey for short. True to the breed, he could bawl. Big E preferred the Treeing Walkers. So we always had a bit of a competition going on. His Walker, ironically, Bud Dog, was what I call a yipper until he treed, which he would sit his butt down at the bottom of the tree and fast chop. Rowdey on the other hand would bay on the track about every 10 feet; just put his head in the air and bawl. Once he treed, he would let out the longest ole bay telling me " momma, I got him, I got him, then just bawl steady. I loved it!!! Big E would call him a slow southern ground pounder, as speed was not his talent; it was a cold nose and he could pick up a track a week old I swear and follow it, for miles some times. So I missed the working dogs...What convinced me to give in was some pictures of beagle puppies, and I made the mistake of showing Big E....
So that is how we ended up with beagle puppies!! We have a special pen for them, so that they can play without any danger from the little pack of heathens. It takes a bit more work;let the shibas out, bring them in, and let the beagles out, bring them back in......Oh well keeps us busy and better than having nothing to do. Don't they say that is what keeps us young???
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Yesterday Big E and I went for good ride to Bingham, Maine to pick up two new additions to the Ktaadn family. There is a little more that goes along with today's story and I will now share that with you. It all began
almost six years ago. I sent in a couple queries to a few outdoor publications as a writer. I had been a correspondent and special feature writer for 2 local newspapers in the area. The Katahdin Journal was the first paper I wrote for and I found that I truly loved to put down thoughts and words, and not to brag, but had a pretty good flair for the special features. I met some of the most awesome people in our little communities; the kind of folks that you might say hello to in passing, but never give another thought. I listened to stories, was introduced to their families, and observed some of the most talented artists, beautiful photographers, and dedicated folks that make you feel privileged to have the opportunity to meet. The Journal closed and went out of business in 2001, and I attempted to write for a competitor paper for a short time. During this time I still met new folks who were absolute gems of our community: Veterans, a retired game warden celebrating his 70th anniversary and a young man who inspired to compete in the Iditarod. However, this relationship with the paper was short lived and I had to get done. I missed writing, missed meeting the people and would often run into someone who had been a fan and they would ask," when are you going to start writing again?" Well I never really gave it up completely as this is something I have done all my life thus far. I have notebooks filled with short stories, possible book ideas and things like this. But I had longed to write for an outdoors magazine or paper, feeling I could fill in a nitch not really yet being met; a lady outdoors addict!
Well after my submissions and inquiries, Outdoors Magazine, which was still at the time Vermont Outdoors needed a writer to cover central Maine; to report on what was going on in the region and what there was to do in the outdoor world here. I jumped at this opportunity and it has now lasted as I stated before, going on six years.
Now, because they were located in Vermont, I was not going into the office, talking directly with co-workers, the Editor or Publisher; it was all done via the wide world web, and kind of still is. However a couple years ago I finally got to meet my Editor and Publisher as well as the Benoits and another writer from the paper in Harrisburg at the Eastern Outdoors and Sports Show. I think these meetings has given us the chance to get to know each other, even though we have been corresponding for many years. After that first meeting, my Editor gave me the chance of a lifetime for someone wishing to write for an outdoors publication. I would no longer be covering the region as a reporter, I was given my own column with my own byline "The Lyons Den". I could write anything I wanted; tell stories and adventures! I'm so very proud to not only write for this publication, but I have also watched it become the best outdoors magazine in the Northeast United States, covering a wide area, with the best writers as well. It far outshines the two outdoor publications that are located within the State of Maine. So this brings me back to the beginning of my story today.......our ride to Bingham Maine.
Bob Howe and his lovely wife Andrea, live, own and operate Pine Grove Lodge and Camps in Bingham. Bob is also a fellow writer for Outdoors; the author of "A Guide Life". Bob also makes the best snowshoes Big E says he has ever placed on his feet!! Bob is of course a Maine Guide, and he guides along with all the others stuff, rabbit hunting with beagles. Big E and I raised hunting hounds for 16 plus years, and due to life circumstances over time, gave it up. I missed the hounds so badly that I began raising Shiba Inu's just to have dogs once again. Well I have dogs!! I raised 3 litters of shibas, and well, found one reason or another to keep a puppy from each litter. Also along the way I became the proud owner of Ozwald, the akita. Big E has been bugging me for a couple years now to get a couple beagles for rabbit hunting; something he truly enjoyed and well, they are small, not as big as the hounds and .......well he kept on me and I kept saying no, even though I thought it really nor fair, considering he has put up with me and my 6 dogs in the house. These would live outside; we already had everything we needed; warm insulated dog houses, outbuildings to place them in and fencing to make a kennel and yard for them to play in. I kept saying, and for good reasons, with guilt, honey we don't need anymore dogs. The problem was not that I didn't want more dogs. The problem was that my little pack of heathens as I refer to them as, have not been socialized, (Only Ozwald and Tazz have been taken, trained and worked to be social due to Ozwald being a therapy dog for a few years, and I was showing conformation with Tazz). Shiba Inu's are a small breed with quirks. Because they have been their own little pack, with the oldest two being 14 years old and the youngest of the five, turning 11 this month, they think that this is their personal territory, and are not accepting of any other animals of any kind intruding in their domain and I have witnessed their wrath.
However Big E never let up, and figured out a way completely around my issue. His young trapping companion who lives just down the road wanted a beagle to bunny hunt with too, and they could live at his place even though we would also have a complete, safe and shiba proof set up for them here as well, they would live primarily at Tylers. I'm losing the battle here!!!
Last week Bobs wife Andrea posted pictures of baby beagles, ready to go to their new homes, and who can resist a puppy, let alone baby beagles??!!! I showed Big E the pictures and it all began; the planning and scheming to convince Kim to give in. OK!!! Enough already!! Thus our trip to Bingham and two beagle puppies!!! Andrea picked the three males out to pick from, gave me one to hold and that was it, love!! He snuggled into my neck and started kissing!! I told Big E, well this one is yours, you can pick out the other one!
We now have 2 new additions to the Ktaadn family, officially named Buck and Buddy and I have already began to spoil them, after all, I have the strong belief that even a working animal must be loved and cuddling is all part of it!! Tyler took the puppies home with him last night in a portable kennel and I wonder just how much sleep he got, and if he gave in, as I most likely would have, and tucked them under the covers. The boys will be finishing up the dog house, and placing the kennel at Tylers today; then finishing the work that needs to be done for their kennel here. Welcome home!!!!
almost six years ago. I sent in a couple queries to a few outdoor publications as a writer. I had been a correspondent and special feature writer for 2 local newspapers in the area. The Katahdin Journal was the first paper I wrote for and I found that I truly loved to put down thoughts and words, and not to brag, but had a pretty good flair for the special features. I met some of the most awesome people in our little communities; the kind of folks that you might say hello to in passing, but never give another thought. I listened to stories, was introduced to their families, and observed some of the most talented artists, beautiful photographers, and dedicated folks that make you feel privileged to have the opportunity to meet. The Journal closed and went out of business in 2001, and I attempted to write for a competitor paper for a short time. During this time I still met new folks who were absolute gems of our community: Veterans, a retired game warden celebrating his 70th anniversary and a young man who inspired to compete in the Iditarod. However, this relationship with the paper was short lived and I had to get done. I missed writing, missed meeting the people and would often run into someone who had been a fan and they would ask," when are you going to start writing again?" Well I never really gave it up completely as this is something I have done all my life thus far. I have notebooks filled with short stories, possible book ideas and things like this. But I had longed to write for an outdoors magazine or paper, feeling I could fill in a nitch not really yet being met; a lady outdoors addict!
Well after my submissions and inquiries, Outdoors Magazine, which was still at the time Vermont Outdoors needed a writer to cover central Maine; to report on what was going on in the region and what there was to do in the outdoor world here. I jumped at this opportunity and it has now lasted as I stated before, going on six years.
Bob Howe and his lovely wife Andrea, live, own and operate Pine Grove Lodge and Camps in Bingham. Bob is also a fellow writer for Outdoors; the author of "A Guide Life". Bob also makes the best snowshoes Big E says he has ever placed on his feet!! Bob is of course a Maine Guide, and he guides along with all the others stuff, rabbit hunting with beagles. Big E and I raised hunting hounds for 16 plus years, and due to life circumstances over time, gave it up. I missed the hounds so badly that I began raising Shiba Inu's just to have dogs once again. Well I have dogs!! I raised 3 litters of shibas, and well, found one reason or another to keep a puppy from each litter. Also along the way I became the proud owner of Ozwald, the akita. Big E has been bugging me for a couple years now to get a couple beagles for rabbit hunting; something he truly enjoyed and well, they are small, not as big as the hounds and .......well he kept on me and I kept saying no, even though I thought it really nor fair, considering he has put up with me and my 6 dogs in the house. These would live outside; we already had everything we needed; warm insulated dog houses, outbuildings to place them in and fencing to make a kennel and yard for them to play in. I kept saying, and for good reasons, with guilt, honey we don't need anymore dogs. The problem was not that I didn't want more dogs. The problem was that my little pack of heathens as I refer to them as, have not been socialized, (Only Ozwald and Tazz have been taken, trained and worked to be social due to Ozwald being a therapy dog for a few years, and I was showing conformation with Tazz). Shiba Inu's are a small breed with quirks. Because they have been their own little pack, with the oldest two being 14 years old and the youngest of the five, turning 11 this month, they think that this is their personal territory, and are not accepting of any other animals of any kind intruding in their domain and I have witnessed their wrath.
However Big E never let up, and figured out a way completely around my issue. His young trapping companion who lives just down the road wanted a beagle to bunny hunt with too, and they could live at his place even though we would also have a complete, safe and shiba proof set up for them here as well, they would live primarily at Tylers. I'm losing the battle here!!!
Last week Bobs wife Andrea posted pictures of baby beagles, ready to go to their new homes, and who can resist a puppy, let alone baby beagles??!!! I showed Big E the pictures and it all began; the planning and scheming to convince Kim to give in. OK!!! Enough already!! Thus our trip to Bingham and two beagle puppies!!! Andrea picked the three males out to pick from, gave me one to hold and that was it, love!! He snuggled into my neck and started kissing!! I told Big E, well this one is yours, you can pick out the other one!
We now have 2 new additions to the Ktaadn family, officially named Buck and Buddy and I have already began to spoil them, after all, I have the strong belief that even a working animal must be loved and cuddling is all part of it!! Tyler took the puppies home with him last night in a portable kennel and I wonder just how much sleep he got, and if he gave in, as I most likely would have, and tucked them under the covers. The boys will be finishing up the dog house, and placing the kennel at Tylers today; then finishing the work that needs to be done for their kennel here. Welcome home!!!!
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