| Well they did it again. Receiving a call on a mid March evening and on the other end was Dan and Jim from bear hunt to Woody's Guide Service in Maine. I was floored as this is the 2nd trip that I have won from this Receiving a call on a mid March evening and on the other end was Dan and Jim from Well they did it US Outdoorsman Central. They were calling to inform me that I was just picked as the winner of the adult/child bear hunt to Woody's Guide Service in Maine. I was floored as this is the 2nd trip that I have won from this great program within as many years. Dan and Jim filled me in on details what I would need to do to contact Dan Wood to schedule the trip. Only problem, I don't have any kids. After several phone calls and many volunteers of kids in the 40/50 year range a good friend suggested that her 15 year old son Christopher, who just started hunting would like to go. The trip was a GO. I contacted Dan Wood who was very informative and accommodating in scheduling this trip. Dan said he would schedule us for the 1st week of the season because Chris would be starting school in the 2nd week and mom wouldn't go for missing a week of school. Dan got my address and quickly sent out information that was needed on what to bring and what license and permits were needed for the trip. Now you never want to wish away the summer here in Central New York, but, I just couldn't wait for that August 19th opening day to arrive. One week prior Chris and I were sighting in the guns we were going to take. Chris opted for a 12 gauge shotgun that he was familiar with and I was bringing my 50 cal black powder gun I have yet to get anything with. While making plans to head out early the following Sunday, I jokingly said that we will probably get hit with a hurricane and wouldn't you know it. Welcome Irene. I got up at 4am that morning and the rain was just starting here and Hurricane Irene was scheduled to hit Maine later that evening. I thought about postponing the trip for about 2 seconds and was picking Chris up at 6am prompt. Along the way it rained, and rained, was windy and really raining and before we could get out of New York the Mass Turnpike closed. "Recalculate" we stayed on I-90 finding the toll booths were closed due to the weather but travel was still permitted under the "State of Emergency" warning. Now I've never driven though any hurricanes but a little wind and rain and a couple trees to drive around does not compare to blinding Lake Effect on Route 81 here in CNY. We made real good time without any traffic on the roads and was getting to our destination right around 3:30pm Upon arrival, Dan was there to welcome and show us around. There were other hunters and guides in the lodge and on the porch during the meet and greet. The lodge was built several years earlier and Dan had deer, bear, fish and a moose mount which made for a very comfortable setting. He also has built smaller cabins next to the lodge that he uses for hunting parties of 3 or 4. I was surprised to find out that most of the hunters were from NY or PA including Nancy and Kevin from nearby Altmar on Salmon River. Also there were several kids around Chris's age and friends were quickly made. The chatter was all about the next day’s hunt or previous hunts and the weather, which by then was a constant wind and rain. Several of the guides said that they were without power back home, but no power loss at the lodge as it is powered by generator. Soon the camp cook Gisele was ringing the dinner bell and we were all sitting down to a home cooked lasagna feast. After dinner some watched TV or hung out on the porch or played cards until lights out. As daylight approached you could hear the loons out on Kingsbury Pond as the camp slowly awaken for the 1st days hunt. It seemed a little different to be able to sleep in as the hunt for bear was done in the late afternoon evening times when the bear are more active. Gisele already had coffee made and was flipping eggs, sausage, bacon and home fries for breakfast. The weather was much better as only a mist was in the air and the forecast was for clearing by afternoon. After breakfast the guides filled bait bags and asked if anybody wanted to ride along as they headed out to refresh sites and to check activity and trail cams before the afternoon hunt. Dan suggested that Chris and I ride with him as he wanted to check a site that he was planning us to hunt later but, there was a brook to cross to get there. Thanks to Irene the little brook was now a river and waterfalls which made for some great pictures but not a good site for that day. Not to worry, Dan has many sites, 75 he said, within a 40 mile radius and is planning more. The ride with Dan was very informative and you can tell he takes pride in what he does and wants his clients to have the best trip possible. He tries to keep the guide to hunter ratio at 3 or 4 to 1, and depending on your comfort level they will sit with you during the hunt. Returning back at the lodge guys were shooting making sure their sites were set. I again was surprised to find that some were going to be hunting with crossbows and bows or even a pistol. After lunch guys began preparing to head out with the guides and the sun was finally shining. I knew there was a reason I brought so much rain gear. John was going to be our guide that day and said we would be heading out around 2. After showers we gathered equipment and loaded into his truck and was on our way. Chris and I were hunting together in a very comfortable 2 man stand overlooking the bait site which was within 20 yards. John freshened up the bait and made sure we were all set giving thumbs up before heading out. After several hours of only red squirrel activity Chris was grabbing some shuteye and I might have gotten in a wink or two myself. I said it was comfortable. With darkness upon us we headed back towards the road where soon John picked us up and we headed back to the lodge. He said he didn't hear of any reports on the radio of bear taken that day but several had seen some. Guide Eric was last back at the lodge with his crew of the Frazier family including father, son and grandson Garret who was junior hunter using a bow. Garret had a bear come into the bait only to have it run off before getting a shot with an arrow but his grandpa was with him filming it. Everybody gathered around the TV to see what they had saw. It might have been the only bear I saw that day but it was exciting to hear the sightings from others including moose, bear, pine martens. After another awesome home cooked dinner we sat around the campfire with thoughts of what the next day will bring. After breakfast Chris and I opted to head out and do a little sightseeing of the surrounding area. It's very scenic no matter what direction you headed. We even stopped and took a few cast from the other end of Kingsbury Pond as we both had bought Hunting/Fishing license combos. That day Dan took us to a double ground blind that had seen recent activity. It was very comfortable as Chris fell asleep again. I felt a little uneasy hearing noises in the background and not being able to seeing what was making it. A nearby beaver was doing his thing causing most of the ruckus. As darkness fell we headed back to the road to meet up with Dan. Again back at the Lodge we waited for reports of that days sightings of bear, moose and Eric pulls in saying Garret got a shot off and it was on film. Now for Dan it is common practice that if someone shoots a bear it is left until all hunters return to the lodge, eat dinner, then all guides and anyone else who wishes to, return to the site for tracking and recovery of the animal. Again we all gathered around the TV to see what Grandpa got on film. It looked like a perfect shot. We were all excited for Garret and how great it was for him to be hunting with grandpa getting his 1st bear with a bow no less, and having that memory on film. In all the excitement we found out that Garret’s dad shot a coyote in a nearby stand also. I’m sure it was hard for them to wait until dinner was over to go and retrieve the bear that night. But Gisele had just fixed a Thanksgiving feast that was fit for a king. Turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, squash and homemade pies. With dinner complete we were giving the option to ride back to the site to retrieve the bear or stay and relax at the lodge. Chris went with the guys to retrieve and I let the TV watch me until they returned. I awoke to commotion outside with guys returning and soon joined in. They said that Garret’s shot was right on the mark and it only traveled about 20 yards. Dan said it was a 2 year old, but for a kid and his bow it will surely be a lifetime trophy. The next day Dan suggested that Chris and I hunt different stands as there was recent activity at a nearby site from where we first hunted. Chris was now 16 and processing an adult license and could hunt alone. I asked Chris if he felt comfortable with the idea. He didn’t hesitate and was excited with the opportunity. That afternoon John had Chris get in the stand at the lodge and take several shots at the target. After a few pointers Chris's shots were on target and we were off to the sites. We rode with John who showed me the area where Chris would be and was only about ½ mile from my stand where I would be able to hear a shot if it was taken. While in my stand I had an osprey land 10 feet in front of me looking for quick meal of red squirrel or chipmunk which were everywhere around the bait site until he had shown up. The bird flew off with empty claws and I left in darkness with a memory of this unique sighting. Back out on the road I could see the lights of John's truck approaching. As I jumped in there was excitement in Chris's voice as he had seen a bear from his stand but it never gave him the opportunity for a shot. On the way back we drove by a cow moose which was the 1st one I ever saw. At the lodge several others had bear sighting with no shots taken. After another 5 star ham dinner with all the fixins we played cards with Gisele until lights out. Over the next couple days, the weather was just beautiful. Maybe too nice, Chris and I did not see anymore bears but as all hunters know it's just not about harvesting animals. There were several more sightings from the other hunters, but no bear were taken. But what is taken is the new friendships and the memories of this trip. Dan has a great thing going on here and you will not be disappointed. Check out his web site at www. woodysguideservice.net where other hunts of moose, whitetail deer, turkey are offered. He also offers ice fishing, snowmobiling and ATVing among other interest. I would like to thank Dan for making this possible, and to all his guides for what they have done in making this a most enjoyable trip. And Dan, tell Gisele I'll be back to try to beat her in rummy. And to the guys at U.S. Outdroorsman Central, Dan and Jim "You're the Best". Mark Ziemba Fayetteville, NY |
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