Once each year in early autumn, we publish an issue of The Maine Sportsman focusing on hunting dogs and their owners, breeders and trainers. What better way to kick off this year’s special edition than with a cover photo of breeder and trainer Jason Carter and his Deutsch Kurzhaar – an image taken after a Western Maine bird hunt last fall.
Inside, starting with our center spread, we devote seven full pages to readers’ photos of their hunting dogs in action – Brittanys, Llewellin and Irish setters, hounds (including bluetick, redtick and Walkers), GSPs, water spaniels, and Labrador retrievers of every hue and color.
Look for more hunting dog photos in our October issue. And as we head into upland game season here in Maine, pause and appreciate the dedication and discipline demonstrated by versatile dogs and their owners in carrying on the traditions of their breeds and of the hunt.
Are you going on a moose hunt this year? Be sure to read Christi Elliotts “Moose Hunting Tips from the Experts,” in which she goes directly to the highest authorities – including Hal Blood of Big Woods Bucks, Maine moose biologist Lee Kantar, and guides Dave Conley, Jerod Kronholm and John Altman – for detailed instructions on making your hunt a success. There’s a reason these folks are considered among the best in their fields, and you’ll learn how to prepare for the hunt, arm yourself properly, scout, call, and even quarter a moose.
Also in this issue:
- Adam Bergeron reveals the secrets of Maine’s silver-tone brown trout
- Troy Frye’s statistical analysis of 20 years of bear hunting in Maine
- Retired Warden Doug Tibbetts’ true confession about whether his usually-unflappable good nature and patience were tested after he was required to hide in the bushes for hours, being eaten alive by black flies, while observing how many trout an angler was stuffing into his creel, and
- JC Allard’s nostalgic piece about the Daisy Red Ryder BB gun.
All this, plus Ethen Emerson’s “Perfect Youth Gun, Part II,” our publisher’s sneak peek at the State Museum’s upcoming vintage Ski-doo exhibit, ATV violation statistics, provocative letters to the editor, and the best cartoons found anywhere between Drinkwater and Dry Mills.
Once again this month, we hope we’ve met our goal of exceeding your expectations. Write us at Will@MaineSportsman.com with questions or comments. Enjoy!
