FIELD IN THE FIELD

ANNUAL DEER HUNTING TRIP

November 24, 2007

By David Field

Well, the annual gathering at the camp near Danforth, ME occurred.  This event has been going on for almost a century.  In the early days, a crew would assemble and ride a horse drawn wagon into camp and spend time hunting.  The wagon eventually became a Willy’s Jeep and today our four wheel drive pickups do the trick. 

Photo By David Field

We arrived Tuesday night.  Besides myself were Cliff, Skip and Ron, the most recent addition to the crew.  I had arrived first and opened the camp.  It was colder in camp than outside and I quickly had a fire going to get things warmed up.  I lit the gas pilots in the stove and got the gas lights lit to give me light to unpack.  I leave my outerwear in the truck to minimize camp smells on my clothes.  It is amazing how quickly bacon and wood stove smoke stick to your clothes.

Our Wednesday plan was simple; work the tree stands that had produced in years past.  The weather was breezy with temperatures in the 40’s. I took a stand in the afternoon and spotted a creature I had never encountered before.  It turned out to be a Pine Marten.  This animal can only be taken by trapping, since it is a fur-bearer.  It looked like a fox, with a pushed in white face and it hopped like Tigger in Whinnie the Pooh.  The photo below is the best I could do given the lighting conditions and the animal’s tendency to keep moving. 

The Pine Marten in its habitat. (See Sidebar for more information on the Pine Marten.) Photo By David Field

Thursday was a rain threatened day, but we never really got it.  I heard thunder a few times, but never saw lightening.  It ended up being 60 degrees and the wind was blowing incredibly.  Not the best hunting conditions. 

Friday was pouring rain and Ron and I called it quits at 9am.  We got back to camp and got the fire roaring to dry out our clothes.  The rain let up in the afternoon and the temperature started to drop.  We set 2 guys up at the bottom of a ridge and Skip and I worked a piece towards the ridge.  Skip and I were supposed to be working south and keeping the road to our left and the brook to our right.  We both got lost a few times.  The sun wasn’t out and we both usually key off it to work the woods.  Cliff saw a coyote trot by and saw it reverse its direction, probably smelling Ron. 

I got to the brook and knew I hadn’t been heading correctly.  I confirmed south on my compass and started for my new target.  To my 11 o’clock position, a shot rang out.  Skip had made it to the target ahead of me and spotted a white tail on the old logging road.  His shot didn’t find the mark, but it gave me confirmation of the direction to head.  The weather had cooled enough for snow to start falling.  I was soaked from plunging through wet thickets and had had enough. 

That night I decided to make sure my gun was dry and clean.  I spent 3 hours disassembling, drying, cleaning and oiling my Browning BAR .30-06.  It was worth the time spent to prevent rust and woods matter from fouling the action.

Saturday, we opted for Jimmy Mountain, just to get a different look.  The temperature was 10 degrees, the wind was blowing out of the northwest and about a half an inch of snow coated the landscape.  The morning was uneventful, just exciting to see tracks of animals doing their thing and confirming that you can’t shoot a track.  I followed a coyote track and found where it had consumed a meal.  Cliff confirmed that the deer had been at the bottom of Jimmy and had traveled across Bog Brook out of our range.  We headed back to camp had lunch and hit the woods again to no avail.  I was tempted by 3 Ruffed Grouse budding not 30 yards from where I sat.  However, air shots with a rifle aren’t the most safe, and I passed on the opportunity.

Scene of the Coyote Kill. Photo By David Field

Saturday night we feasted on a boiled dinner with Venison Rump steaks done on the grill.  After we cleaned the dishes, we settled in for a partner cribbage tournament best of 3.  Ron and I won the first game, Cliff and Skip the second.  Since we legally can’t hunt on Sunday, the late hour didn’t matter and we dealt the final game out.  Ron and I won the third game despite the good natured ribbing about the quality of the cards and the usual flack that is dealt in friendly games.

Sunday, Ron left for home, we cleaned up around camp and I proceed to cut some wood to bring home.  In the afternoon, I headed to Marc Cobb’s camp to catch a shower.  When I pulled into the yard, his welcoming committee was there.  Approximately 20 wild turkeys were in his yard looking for food.  The shower was refreshing and I returned to camp feeling like a new person.

Welcoming party made up of the local turkeys. Photo By David Field

Monday we decided to move around and actively hunt.  At 9am, I thought I had moved a deer.  I kept hearing sounds to my left and heading parallel with me.  After an hour of this, I finally decided to speed up my advance to see if I could catch the critters.  Well, it happened that I was unknowingly chasing a cow moose and her calf.  It was the same pair I had seen during the moose hunt.  After lunch, we hunted north of camp.  Cliff spotted a white tail and took a shot, but again, a missed opportunity.  However, we confirmed the deer were in a different location.  We also discovered that the beavers were doing some significant damage to the stream just behind the camp.  There were 2 areas that had been clear cut by the buggers!

Tuesday was another uneventful day.  I began thinking about the trip home on Wednesday and the holiday demands.  I also reflected on why I do these trips.  It definitely isn’t for the deer.  However, the wildlife aspect certainly is entertaining.  Also, speaking of entertainment, 4 guys in a small camp can lead to some very entertaining moments.  It is camaraderie, the challenge of the woods and the adventure of not knowing what will be encountered every day. Maine’s white tail harvest success rate averages in the 20 something percent range.  It is not as engaging as hunting ruffed grouse. 

The firearms season ends on Saturday November 24 and then muzzleloader season continues for 2 more weeks.  Ruffed Grouse season goes until the end of the year.  Rabbit season is open and will end in March, 2008.  Best wishes to all hunters!

Windham resident David Field is an avid outdoorsman and hunter. He has agreed to share his adventures with us right here on Maine Sports Pages. Read other Field in the Field Columns

Skip (left) and Cliff (right) looking at a GPS and comparing notes on a hunt direction and location of deer.

Pine Marten Facts: