April 01, 2007
High marks for Sportsman's Show
Thoughts on the 27th annual Sportsman's Show, held this weekend at the Augusta Civic Center:
- There was a good balance between fin-and-fur groups (hunters, trappers, fishermen, etc.) and conservation associations (Natural Resources Council of Maine, Maine Land Coalition, Small Woodlot Owners Association of Maine, etc.). A large crowd had gathered Saturday afternoon to take in the messages.
- The first display that visitors saw when arriving was a mobile presentation that pointed out the evils of poaching. Your Scribe did not know poaching was such a problem.
- The busiest "interactive" seminar was the fly-tying clinic. Outdoorsmen of all ages lined up to get one-on-one instruction from veteran flymakers. Also drawing a crowd was a "firing range" game that challenged hunters to shoot game on a large moving screen.
- Numerous Canadian hunting and fishing businesses had booths, in attempts to lure New England sportsmen north this summer.
- PR teams representing the Plum Creek project at Moosehead were giving out free hats. The National Resources Council of Maine (which opposes the project as it stands) had flyers prepared promising to wage (bureaucratic) war if the sponsors do not come up with a "balanced" plan. Two resorts and 975 house lots are on the drawing board, though they have not been approved.
- Devices that emit facsimiles of mating calls were among the most popular booth items. The moose call invariably startled passersby - but that's what the unit is supposed to do, get one's attention!
- One bumper sticker on a pickep in the parking lot declared, "Kill it and Grill it!" The license plate indicated the driver was a bow hunter.
- Your Scribe was least impressed by the booth run by the Maine Trappers Association. Is trapping a "sport?" All those pelts hanging inside the booth seemed like a waste, since trapping is a small-money proposition at best.
- I was impressed by a Honda generator for $699. I want to have lights at the cabin this summer, so I might just buy this model.
- More than a half-dozen Maine tourist camps set up shop at the event. Do any readers go to fishing and hunting camps? I have never taken such a vacation.
- Representatives of real-estate companies say that more would-be camp buyers are looking inland for property, now that the costs near the coast are so high. Camps for less than $100,000 are available - which I hope to identify in coming blogs.
- Judging from the growing number of courses being offered, becoming a Maine Guide is a Walter Mitty-type dream for many men and woman. More than a dozen courses are given throughout the state, though one must still be certified by the state (and hired) before the dream comes true.
- With spring coming on and fishing season just starting, the Sportman's Show was a great place to get mentally prepared for the new season!
E-mail this entry to a friend
Pop, the sportsman's show sounds great. they clearly did not have that kind of bait that is like crack cocaine for fish because that definetly would have tempted you more than any other display. Given your vow for trout and limited past success (no offense).
As for the generator, remember the noise factor. Currently I live in a very natural setting but the rumble of generators drown out the screeching crickets every night.
Did those tree hugging types have any solar panels? That is really the green, and for all intents better, option.
I am also supposing that on display were not those moose deterring bumper whistles that you glued to your bumper circa 96. We laughed over that one, but tell me, how many moose did you hit that winter?
Looking forward to getting up to cabin country myself.
Thanks for your entry,
Drwe
Posted by
drewApril 2, 2007 12:50 PM
IS TRAPPING A SPORT?
It’s a heritage. An outdoor heritage that goes back to a time long before the advent of the fly rod, the 30-06, or opinionated yuppies. and deserves it’s place in any Outdoors Sportsman event, that would showcase the collective blood sports.
Trapping today isn’t quite as it was in the past centuries, it’s about maintaining a balance in the wildlife that inhabit our earth, minimizing disease, starvation, and ensuring a healthy wildlife population, and sustainable resource for the future.
Is there any sport to it?
Try getting your next buck, with a five mile range to step precisely onto a 1-1/2 circle of your choosing before you can put it on a plate, or mount his head to your wall.
When it comes to the traditions of the woods and waters, the experience of nature to it’s fullest and finest, the life of a trapper is the closest you’d get to come. Too bad you can’t appreciate it.
A trapper Stands tall as the epitome of the American outdoorsman
Posted by
Rob Hatch, Registered Guide, TrapperApril 3, 2007 09:09 PM
Least impressed with the trapping booth! Takes a lot of skill to take many of those animals. Skill and a lot of hard work preparing the fur to what you saw on display. Perhaps if you’d stopped and asked questions with an open mind instead of it being closed like a trap “Pun intended” You’d of at least learned what the animals were, And why trappers are so dedicated to their sport.
Posted by
Albert LaddApril 3, 2007 09:38 PM
Is Trapping a sport?
All to often in today's society an individual passes judgement on issues he or she knows little about.
Get to know the sport before making a comment like that. Trappers are one of the last traditional sportsman in our state that can accurately give information each year to biologist. And with that information they can make sound management decisions for the benefit of all who enjoy the Maine woods as recreation.
Posted by
Curt Cote, Traditional SportsmanApril 3, 2007 09:48 PM
To trapping's defense, it has become a wildlife management tool, just like hunting. As long as people expect the goverment to assure healthy, stable wildlife populations without giving the goverment millions in tax dollars, citizen hunting and trapping (providing money thru license fees) will exist. At least until the Anit's convince the taxpayer to pay millions of tax dollars to do the same job. Only then the animals will be thrown into an incinerator or land fill, just like in Massechusetts.
Posted by
Lois RoweApril 3, 2007 11:18 PM
Next time you post a story Dyke you may want to do some research, the statement made about trapping show's your ignorance of the whole outdoor's world. Trapping is a viable part of Maine, A tool used in our Black Bear and Lynx studies which are the best in the United States. Trapping is also a sport enjoyed by thousands of sportsman in this state, it is a sport which requires much skill,time ,and patience if you don't think so give a call to one of the trappers in Maine, we would love to take you along on a day of trapping to educate you, next time think before you type.
Posted by Paul Laney
April 4, 2007 06:38 AM
It is disappointing to see your off the cuff and I suspect uninformed comment about the MTA booth at the Maine sportsmens show. Trapping is part of Maine's outdoor heritage and continues to be a valuable tool used to maintain a healthy population of all species in Maine. Also that looks like a felt hat you're wearing in your picture. If it is a quality hat it was made with sheared beaver fur that has a good chance of being caught by a sportman or woman in Maine. I am sure the MTA would have been glad to educate you at the show. You're also welcome to spend a day with me to see what trapping is about.
Posted by
John CarvilleApril 4, 2007 08:59 AM
I sent you and e-mail in defense of trapping and the MTA booth but your e-mail address is not accurate. Is this because you often make stupid comments and are tired of getting e-mails that put you in your place.
Posted by John Sewell
April 18, 2007 09:27 AM
Welcome to our website for you World of Warcraft Gold,Wow Gold,Cheap World of Warcraft Gold,cheap wow gold,buy cheap wow gold,real wow gold,sell wow gold, ...
Here wow gold of 1000 gold at $68.99-$80.99 ,World Of Warcraft Gold,buy wow gold,sell world of warcraft gold(wow gold),buy euro gold wow Cheap wow gold,cheapest wow gold store ...Guild wars Gold buy euro gold wow wow gold--buy cheap wow gold,sell wow gold.welcome to buy cheap wow gold--cheap, easy, wow gold purchasing.World of Warcraft,wow gold Super ...
We can have your wow gold,buy wow gold,wow gold game,world of warcraft gold, wow Gold Cheap wow, Cheap wow gold,world of warcraft gold deal,Cheap WOW Gold ...
Welcome to our website for you World of Warcraft Gold,Wow Gold,Cheap World of Warcraft Gold,wow gold,buy cheap wow gold,real wow gold,sell wow gold, ...
Here wow gold of 1000 gold at $68.99-$80.99,World Of Warcraft Gold,buy wow gold,sell world of warcraft gold(wow gold),buy gold wow lightninghoof instock Cheap wow gold,cheapest wow gold store ...Guild wars Gold wow gold--buy cheap wow gold,sell wow gold.welcome to buy cheap wow gold--cheap, easy, wow gold purchasing.World of Warcraft,wow gold Super ...
Wow gold- Gold for buy gold wow lightninghoof instock EU-Server: ...wow Gold EU: starting from 84,99?; 3000 WoW Gold EU: starting from 119,99?. wow Gold- Leveling Services: ...
We can have your wow Gold,buy wow Gold,wow Gold game,wow gold, Cheap wow Gold, Cheap World of Warcraft Gold,world of warcraft gold deal,buy cheap wow gold,Cheap WOW Gold ...
Here wow Gold of 1000 gold at $68.99-$80.99,World Of Warcraft Gold,buy wow Gold,sell world of warcraft gold(wow gold),Cheap wow gold,cheapest World of Warcraft Gold store
Posted by
wowgolds104April 18, 2007 09:33 PM
Post a comment
Blog Index
Dyke Hendrickson and Cabin Country have moved to 
Subscribe
Questions/Comments
