Catch up time: Shed hunting and Ice Fishing and Ssssnnnnoooowwwwwww.

I have over a month to catch up on with blogging and this will probably be a long post but its a mixed bag of a few projects and adventures from the end of 2013 to the start of a new year. We had a TON of snow around Christmas. So much so that it really limited any outdoor activities.

I finally broke down and had to get Rusty out of the house last week. We took off and went rabbit hunting at our usual stomping grounds. We passed three big deer on the way. It was a not so subtle reminder of how huge Maine deer are.

Rusty insisted we get out of the house.

Interesting Fact: Snowshoes are the game of choice in Maine as Cottontails are uncommon and have no season.

The snow was waist deep off the trail so the snowmobile trails were about the only place any living thing could walk around. The deer tracks were piled on top of the sled paths like cervine highways.

 

We never saw any rabbits. Not even rabbit tracks that seemed so plentiful just a month prior. I did see what I figured to be moose tracks though which was cool. If they were deer tracks; well, that would be even cooler. Rusty had a blast and we even got off the trail a little and got the legs muscles burning.

It was a beautiful day and rabbits or not; you could not beat being outside. We crashed when we got home!

With all the nasty weather I decided to pick up some books and dvds to bide my time waiting for spring. 

A few of the books and a dvd I purchased for the winter.

The Deer and Deer Hunting website had a huge sale and I got a great deal on books and movies. I have read some of them but I couldn't beat the price and love sharing great hunting books with people. I picked up the Tom Miranda Super Slam dvd finally. Its a 3 disc set that follows his success at completing the Super Slam with his bow. Miranda isn't the entertainer a Nugent or Waddell may be but he tells it like it happened and is fun to watch. He lets the hunt be the star of the show which is refreshing. I will have reviews on the books and dvds as I finish them.

 

One of the Little Man Ice Traps I picked up.

I am going to get into some ice fishing pretty soon. Guys have been out for nearly two months now but the weather has been warmer recently so I want to give the ice time to harden. I bought a couple Little Man Ice Traps for cheap recently and Rusty helped me set them up. These traps are made in Maine which is very cool. I have not used tip-ups before but I am excited to get into them. I put some backer on them and a couple of leaders with Gamakatsu 2/0 red octo-inline hooks. I hope to get into some Salmon, Lakers or maybe some Pike.

This weekend I am helping out at the Crystal Lake Ice Fishing Derby so I figure I will have the itch to get out for myself after that. Its just tough using my free time alone leaving Rusty at home. Rumor has it, National Geographic will be at Crystal Lake filming a documentary about ice fishing and they are supposed to hit our shelter for some footage. That should be fun. I am trying to grow a beard quickly and come up with some epic quote to give them to make sure I get in the movie.

The weather has been warmer and the feet of snow have been slowly diminishing so I went shed hunting by myself a few days ago. I put on about 7 miles in 5 hours with no success. A few guys are posting shed pics so I thought I might get lucky. The weather was awesome! 

I love winter days when there is snow on the ground and you can still walk comfortably in jeans and a flannel shirt. I saw a lot of deer sign and found about 30+ beds but no sheds. 
 

Bedding area.

The thick cedars I look for deer beds in.

I started with the well used trails then moved to bedding sites I knew of in the cedars then I tried the hills and then finished in a swamp walking a stream. The places you typically think of deer loosing there crowns at. I saw a lot of deer and turkey tracks and some coyote and bobcat as well.

Buck track!

Bobcat track.

Big coyote track.

 Tips for Shed Hunting

• If you are tripping over brush you are going to fast and not looking down enough.
• Dress in layers. I started off cold and got hot then cooled off again and was able to stay comfortable by moving layers between my body and backpack.
• Go slow. If you start to feel your heart beat in your throat are hear it in your ears you need to chill for a while. You are moving way too fast. Sometimes deep snow can be make for a rough hike. Overexertion in frozen temps can be dangerous.  
• Take plenty of snacks and drinks. Take a camera as well, you never know what you might see.

 I got to hike into areas I was afraid to during the fall and improved my knowledge of the area. There were no other boot tracks that I ran across which was cool. I had first dibs on any sheds that could have been out there. Its great just being outside by yourself sometimes. You can take as much time as you want to appreciate the simple things that amuse you. I still may talk myself into getting up early some morning and trying to call in a coyote. 

Winter gives the best shades of blue skies.

I found this acorn in a tree stump. Pretty crazy hiding spot. AKA: simple things that amuse me.

Other than all of that I have been just trying to keep Rusty busy. We've been hitting the park as often as possible.

Jealous.

Saco River.

More Miles of Endless Shed Hunting

*This is a post from March 2012 that never posted.*

Hiked another 8 miles today and no sheds. Saw some sweet stuff as usual and got some good exercise but one of these treks has to pay off sometime. I hit up a smaller park I had walked once a year ago and had written off as not great for deer sign. Today I found more hunter sign than deer but did come across a couple decent spots I may try in the late season. There were probably a dozen ancient wooden broken down tree stands in tall oak tress. Its always cool to see sign of hunters from long ago beating down the same paths. I saw about 30 wood ducks a couple owls and countless other waterfowl.

No idea what this is. There were two and some shreds of old leather around so I just figured it was a Giant's roller skate.

The End: Tips for first time deer trackers.

Hunting season has come to an end and instead of tag soup I could make a hefty stew with all my Michigan and Maine tags unpunched. I learned a ton this year and have lofty goals and an almost stupid confidence for next year. I only got out with the muzzleloader once in the two days I had off last week. I regretted that when I finally dragged myself into the woods. The snowy woods is always amazing. Its like hunting in a totally different world.

I almost missed this beautiful day.

Thompson Center Omega.

You don't get evenings like this from the couch.

Almost too cold to get out of bed...almost.

Cloudy blue skies over badlands.

I saw deer tracks all over the place. I tried tracking for the first time. I have some tips for beginner trackers that can hopefully get a leg up the first time they try it by learning from my mistakes. First, make sure you have room to track. I tracked one buck track for 2 hours only to run into posted signs. I guess this is why tracking usually takes place much farther North of here. Next, if you can not decipher how old a track is; go out right after a fresh snow. Then the tracks are unmistakably new. I went all out on the track I decided to follow. I went over a creek and up countless mini-mountains. The snow was only 6" deep but very packy. I would say my stalking was a 6.5-7 on my 1-10 scale of silent and deadly to death metal concert. I did not see any deer but I saw lots of tracks that make me hopeful for next year and lots of coyote and snowshoe tracks that may need my attention when the snow melts a little.

Buck tracks crossing a creek.

Chasing a doe.

He ran me through the thick stuff!

 I used the first of my 2 days off to hang out with Rusty and took him to a local park to get some energy out. He deserves his kind of fun as much as I do mine.

I love sharing sunsets with this guy!

I brought one of his toys for him to find.

Saco River.



Park graffiti on a cracked wall. Symbolic? I guess.

This is why I run him so hard. I get 2 seconds of him resting.

 

We've been getting a ridiculous amount of snow the last couple of days. I have about 3 feet in my front yard right now. I don't think I will be getting in the woods anytime soon.

In the meantime, I shot a Hoyt CRX 32 yesterday. The draw was set at 28.5" and 73# and I prefer 29" and 70# but I took only 2 shots and robinhooded. So I am pretty sure I will be moving on to a Hoyt. Hopefully I can keep the Alien X and come up with the funds for a Hoyt.

Big Buck Vids

Here is the video of two big bucks (one of which I posted a pic of last post) my fiancee and I came across while scouting.

Smoke Pole Time!

I'm still in search of my buck and I have decided to get out and do some muzzleloader hunting. I picked up some powder and caps and found some Hornady SST bullets I had laying around. Thursday and Friday I have off of work but the temps on those days aren't looking like they will get over 20 degrees. Hopefully the deer will be moving and the ground isn't too frozen to still hunt.

I picked up a used knife for about $6 last week that I think is pretty cool looking. I don't think its worth anything (even using) but its fancy to look at.

 

 

GEAR REVIEW

 

I have decided to through in a gear review every once in a while so tonight I will review my favorite boots. I have a pair of Danner 7" Blades in Mossy Oak Brush. I have used these boots for about 3 years now. I have hunted in them in 100+ degree weather and 10 degree weather. I feel stealthy with them on as they are pretty quiet for stalking and comfortable. I can not imagine a better pair of boots.

 

 

Tips For Wilderness Hikes With Your Dog

This time of year is tough on outdoorsmen with jobs.  There is very limited daylight for outdoor activities. Most days I only see daylight on my lunch break. It can be very depressing but it is a great time to start planning next year's activities. I had a day off yesterday so I took Rusty out for a walk in my hunting area. It is muzzleloader season for deer now so not many people are in the woods. I have my muzzleloader here in Maine with me but I did not bring any of my provisions. I was going to chalk the season up for a loss but walking with Rusty in the silent woods around dusk with a gentle mist falling gave me the fever again. I might go out and get some equipment just to hunt 2 more times this year. Things are looking good for next year anyway as there were a ton of big turkey tracks all around my spot.


Can't wait for April to put a few birds down!

We found an old container of 8 track tapes in the middle of the woods that was kind of amusing.

When I have Rusty in the woods with me there are certain precautions I take and methods I use to keep us both safe and have fun at the same time. I have made a list of recommendations.

Tips for Wilderness Dog Hikes

1. Leash or no leash?
I used to let Rusty run free on our hikes when I lived in Michigan. There was little I had to worry about other than him running off after something or other loose dogs. Here in Maine there are cliffs and other animals, including wild animals I have to worry about. My tip for anyone who wants to have their dog on the leash is to get a retractable leash and attach it to the front of your pack. I have found I can play the dog much like a fish on a line while we walk and I have both my hands free. I have found this method very comfortable and it seems like Rusty knows where I want to go most of the time so we walk quietly and effortlessly most of the time. He can read my movements through the leash and very rarely deviates from the path I have chosen. I even let him decide where we go sometimes. This might be against most dog training tutorials but I feel like letting him decide at a fork in the trail makes him feel more like a partner and builds trust.

This is how I hook the leash to my pack.

2. Food and Water. Depending on how long of a hike you are on the dog will need water and might need food. I typically throw a bottle of water for the dog in my pack and I have a small packable dish that is nearly weightless I can clip to the back of my pack. I bring some treats as well on long hikes.

3. Bugs. The ticks out here have been bad this year. Make sure you leave time either before you get in the car to leave or when you get home to check your dog over. The sooner the better as I usually find a lot on Rusty and I want them off of him before he enters my house or car.

4. Exhaustion. Rusty seems to be an endless ball of energy but I know he hides his exhaustion with excitement by the way he crashes when we get in the car. Typically this isn't a problem as most dogs have more stamina than their owners but when off the leash the dog might be doing twice the hiking as you as he weaves about. Make sure to take rests.

5. Wild Animals. News flash: Your dog cannot out run a bear, wolf, coyote, or cougar. I know dogs are fast in your backyard but hungry animals can track down and eat your dog very easily. I like to have a plan in mind for the event of meeting up with a predator that is in attack mode. Whatever your plan may be, run through it in your mind in different areas of your hike. What if a cougar came out from around this boulder or what if a bear came darting out of those pines? Would you let your dog off the leash? It can be a morbid thought at times but being prepared just might save you and your dog.

I love hiking with Rusty and I think its his favorite thing to do too.

Back to the old drawing board.

I sat on this fallen tree for a while on a oak ridge.

So gun season has come and gone. I went out on Thanksgiving and ended up getting lost as my GPS showed me in random spots on the screen. It was pretty frustrating as I had to give up on hunting and focus on getting out of the woods while bumping deer. I heard at least 2 that I got close to but never saw as I was more worried about getting out before dark. I ended up having to use a compass and wade through a knee deep bog that was too thick to see through in 16 degree weather. I was wearing my Danner boots that I like to use for still hunting because they are pretty quiet but they are only water resistant. My pant legs became frozen tubes of hardened fabric around my legs for the last hour I was out there. I did find a few decent spots I may want to hunt next year though. If I want to hunt anymore it will have to be with a bow until December 15th and only in a very limited area in Southern Maine that I have not gained access to yet.

This lone pine tree was in the middle of a swamp I hiked through. It was the only tree of this thickness and stuck out from the rest.

I found this in the swamp as well. I am not sure if it is a deer rub or made by a bear. There was no bare spot on the tree that looked like a typical deer rub.

It might be hard to see but on the way to work one day I got behind this truck that had a monster on the tailgate. So big in fact that it couldn't fit through the toll station. I have to learn how to snow track deer and find a place to do it.

My wife's parents came in for Thanksgiving and we put up our Christmas tree and lights on the house this week.

Screwing around.

Hot Chocolate!

Rusty helped.

My gorgeous wife all bundled up.

End result.

I made a goals list a while back and I am going to continue to add to it and alter it as developments happen. I keep learning of new activities that are adding to new goals. 2014 should be a very eventful and crazy year of new experiences for me.

New Goals For 2014:

1. Kill a great Maine buck - I am learning so much every day on tactics and places to go. I think I should be able to put down a monster next year by using some Midwest ideas that most people don't take advantage of over here. The hardest part will be not to take the first spike that walks by.
2. Hunt at least one other state (Not Michigan) - I am thinking New Hampshire will be the easiest since it is close and has hunting on Sunday. Massachusetts is another possibility. I have always thought of Pennsylvania as a sleeper state for good deer hunting as well. 
3. Turkey hunt for the 1st time and take at least one Tom - There are turkeys everywhere. I just need to learn the tactics.
4. Bear Hunt - It is what it is. It is the ultimate hunt to me. I cannot wait to start scouting and getting some cameras in the woods starting in the spring I hope I can get my brother to come out and try it with me.
5. Start fly-fishing again - There are some great opportunities here and in the surrounding states in fresh and salt water. I enjoyed the fishing and tying my own flies back in high school and I think I will catch the bug if I get back into it.
6. Squid fishing - I just recently learned about fishing for squid. I can't wait to try it.
7. Salt water Big Game fishing - I don't know the game yet but I really want to try to get into a big cod or tuna.
8. Striper and Mackerel fishing - I want to see what all the fuss is about.
9. Get Rusty bird hunting - A lot of the guys I have met bird hunt like crazy. I think it will take a little work but Rusty and I could have a lot of fun and be pretty successful on some partridge and grouse.

 I am sure this list of goals will be much longer by the time winter starts to end. If I can knock off 3 out of 9 I would consider 2014 a success.