Summer is here and the heat sure is rolling up in Maine this week. My office seems to refuse to dip below 85 degrees which makes for an extremely long day at the office that's for sure. Lately I've been looking into many avenues to start my dream of becoming a professional Maine Guide and outfitter in the state of Maine. I belong in the woods or in a stream, outside and not in a sit down desk job. Obviously this transition is not something one does over nights, it's a process and something that should be thought out well before venturing into. While thinking about the idea of being a Maine Guide I have come to realize that I will not only be held to the highest of standards for ethics in the hunting community but will be expected to ensure that others do the same. This is something I greatly look forward to and am excited to have such an honor and privilege some day. The first major step in my journey will start this Thursday when I start "Maine Guide School". Maine Guide School was in face a gift that my wonderful fiance purchased for me for our anniversary. I must admit, I really lucked out in finding a life partner that is not only supportive of me chasing my dreams, but will sacrifice things herself to help me achieve them. She is my backbone and the biggest blessing in my life without question. This four day Maine Guide School class is designed to help prepare it's students for the intense examination process that must be passed in order to become a licensed and professional Maine Guide. Having recently completed a first aid and CPR course I am also up to date on my skills for medical emergencies which I will hopefully never need, but none the less are extremely important. Once I am finished with Maine Guide School I plan on sending in my application to sign up for the exam ASAP and dream of the day that I pass the exam and will be a licensed Maine Guide.
I've grown up amongst some of the best hunters in the state of Maine. My father, uncles and grandfather's have all had a tradition or harvesting monster whitetail bucks all over this great state with many field dressing well over 200 lbs. The Sportsman's Alliance of Maine, an excellent group, gives out patches for specific hunting accomplishments in harvesting animals. These patches are then often times sewn onto a hunters jacket to proudly represent a prior successful accomplishment. The "Biggest Bucks in Maine Club" patch is given out to any one who harvests a deer that field dresses over 200 lbs. I was fortunate to get my first patch at the age of 14 years old and to this day I wear my wool jacket with that patch sewn on it with so much pride. But the patch that in my opinion is the ultimate accomplishment and representation of true woodsman-ship, sportsmanship and respect for natural resources is the patch that reads "Registered Maine Guide". My Uncle John has been a guide for years, harvesting dozens of monster bucks, bears, moose and other animals through out his impressive hunting career. You can easily say that not only hunting but also guiding is in my blood, it comes from my heart and it is something that ever fiber of my being is excited to start doing. My Uncle's most amazing accomplishments, in my opinion, have been running a successful camp for years as an outfitter taking people out into the great woods and ensuring their safety. Bringing people into the woods and teaching about the lay of the land and the wonderful resources available is something that I would not only enjoy, but would fuel my soul and really give me a true satisfaction of life. I look forward to the day of taking people into the woods tracking down that monster buck on snow, calling in a 50'' bull moose, spotting and stalking a large black bear, telling a youngster were to place a fly in a stream while fishing as well as telling stories, sharing food and drink along with making lifelong friendships at camp.
I hope one day to possibly take YOU on an adventure out into the great woods of Maine!
Take care and remember, shoot straight and shoot often.
It seems today that so many people don't understand the truth about hunting. So many progressive animal activist groups out there today try to portray today's hunter as an assassin salivating at the thought of bringing pain and death to all animals in the world and killing every creature that moves. I must say, this couldn't be further from the truth. I saw around 25 deer last hunting season, guess how many I shot..........0. Hunting season brings with it so much more than the legal opportunity to harvest meat for the freezer. It brings with it the changes of the season, the chance to teach a young child about the outdoors, about the respect that all firearms should be treated with, about the unique freedoms we have in this country that we should never take for granted. There is a saying I have heard that discusses hunting and I think it sums the entire thing up in a perfect way, "It's not what you hunt or where you hunt, but who you hunt with, that matters". It's about family, friends and the great outdoors ladies and gentlemen, that's it. Bringing home a big buck or your daily limit of partridge is excellent and I look forward to it every year but I can tell you without question I have just as much fun at hunting camp on the trips I come home empty handed. Being in the woods is good for any person to reflect on their life and get away from the constant noise caused by work, bills and the unfortunately busy lives that we have all created for ourselves. Being at camp staying up late telling stories and laughing with my family and friends is not only fun but it is actually good for me. It replenishes me and it brings my soul back to a state which I wish it could be at 24/7. If you are a person who doesn't like hunting, or who hates firearms I think you should take one small step, be open minded and visit a friend who goes on a hunting trip for a day. Swing in after a days hunt for a drink, a little food and for some story telling because that is the best part about hunting camp. I along with any of my hunting family would be glad to take you out in the woods for a day, whether you want to go hunting, fishing, for a hike, or just take a drive down a dirt road to possibly get a picture of a moose eating in a swamp. We love the outdoors, but most of all we love people and think that there is no greater gift than to get someone interested in the outdoors lifestyle. If you want to take a trip outside some time and want someone to come along with you PLEASE don't hesitate to call, text, email, facebook or whatever because I assure you, I will be there to give you whatever advice or outdoor lessons I possibly can.
Until next time, shoot straight and shoot often.
