Category Archives: Life in the Woods
Politics, Hunting, and Sunrise on Democrat Ridge
The television was spewing hateful political ads and bad news when Steve turned it on this morning. I wasn’t long in turning it off. Facebook wasn’t much better. I’m sick to death of all this trash talk. It seems like there’s no getting away from hate and discontent in today’s connected world, and Tuesday can’t […]
Gear Review: Mosquitno Wrist Bands and Spots
Mosquitno Wrist Bands and Spots Black fly and mosquito season overlap in Maine. Black fly season starts just about the time the brook trout start to bite. It’s poor timing. Black flies are enough to keep even dedicated anglers away from the water. I went out as prepared as possible with a Mosquitno Band on […]
Maine Maple Sunday recipe – grilled dirty maple shrimp
It was so cold the sap wasn’t running but that didn’t stop Chandler’s Sugar Shack from opening up on Maine Maple Sunday. The sap did run briefly but it was just enough to flush the lines between 3,100 taps. They aren’t too discouraged because it’s going to warm up later this week and when it […]
A ruffed grouse budding on a late afternoon
Life in the Woods: old farm equipment
Life in the Woods: Bald Eagle
Life in the woods: Blood on the snow
Ice fishing with college students who help shape our outdoors
Before she went back to Unity College for the new semester Taylor and I made plans for a weekend of ice fishing, home cooked food and hanging out. She arrived home Saturday morning with Rebecca Zirlin, Grainne Dougherty and Connor Shaw. They unloaded the truck, changed into warm clothes and loaded the truck. Steve left […]
Planting Trees for Wildlife
Smelting at Flood Brook
I’ve wanted to go smelting for years. The last time I went I was seven and a half months pregnant with our first child and Dad took me to dip smelts in the Penobscot River. That “child” is now 28. Uncle Bobby would go smelting, come to our house and clean a bucket of smelts […]
Maine Road Signs
Road signs change a bit when you venture off the beaten path. In spite of the directions on this sign, I didn’t find Oxbrook (it’s one word) Lake. I have no sense of direction other than up and down. These signs are contradictory but even in my directionally deprived brain, I’d go left if I […]
I Really Need a Moose Permit
I wanted a moose permit this year. “You’ll get it this year,” they said. “Your odds are better this year.” As much as I wanted the moose permit, I didn’t expect to be drawn, and I wasn’t. Moose is one of my favorite meats. I’d like to have an ample supply in the freezer. Around […]
Why Do You Hunt?
Why do you hunt? It’s a question I’m often asked. I sometimes give a well rehearsed, detailed explanation of why I hunt. Other times, when I know there’s nothing “right” I can say to the person asking, I give a brief answer. I’d rather not get into a heated discussion about hunting but will if […]