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It’s mid January and the kids have a snow day today. We are suppose to get about a foot of snow, which is great for the snowmobiliers but not so much for the ice fishermen who use ATV’s to get around. Looks like everyone will need to either walk or use a snowmobile for the next week until this snow settles down. We do need the snow though and it makes everying really pretty outside.

In the last two weeks I’ve fished quite a bit, including filming a television show for On the Water TV. What a great time and I’m really looking forward to seeing the finished version.  I put some additional pictures from the shoot on the ice fishing page 

During the last couple of trips we also did some short videos too.  It’s fun to try and capture video footage while ice fish.  Here’s a couple on YouTube.  The first is a trip over at the O’Connor’s house on Long Pond.  Great people!!!!  The second is on Snow Pond with my friend Dustin.  Hope you enjoy them.

Now that the Christmas holiday has come and gone and we have finally finished moving snow after the blizzard, it’s time to settle into some winter fun activities.  This winter I’m looking forward to ice fishing (of course), and I’ve got some new and exciting tactics and techniques that I can’t wait to perfect.  I’m also hoping to fish for more perch and crappies this winter.  Tomorrow I’m heading to Cabelas to purchase a couple new jig poles!  I love buying stuff at that store! 
In addition to fishing, we are running some awesome snow shoe hare hunts.  It’s so much fun to chase after these critters in snow shoes – listening to the beagles howl through the valleys and cedar swamps.  The daily hunting trips include the hounds, Maine Guide, snowmobiles, transportation, 3 meals, 1 nights lodging, and snowshoes for $165/day!!!  A great deal!

We also offer snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and snowmobile rentals too.  This year I hope to spend even more time on snowshoes than last year.  What a great way to see wildlife and enjoy the beautiful winter scenery.

Well as the hunting season comes to a close (4 days left), I’m already getting pumped for ice fishing! Camp is ready, although I have to go shovel it out tomorrow and the snowmobiles are ready too.  Gotta put a new roof on one shack and go pick up a new shack that Big and Little Dan built for me over the summer.  Otherwise, it’s a waiting game for the ice to set in.  We should be fishing by Jan. 1.

Well, I finally tagged out.  It was a terrific rifle season and it ended on a great note.  I managed to shoot a nice 6 point buck Friday morning.  I’d jumped some does on the edge of a swamp, so I hunkered down for about 20 minutes and sat perfectly still.  I could hear the deer moving around in the standing water in the swamp, so I know they didn’t go too far.  I decided to work on a doe bleat call to see if there was a buck keeping tabs on the does and sure enough I was able to call him in.  He was perfectly down wind of me when I shot him, which is a miracle in itself, but is a testament to trying to hunt as sent free as possible.  I put a lot of time and energy into that part of hunting and it paid off this morning.  Not the biggest deer in the Belgrade’s, but not too bad either.  Venison for ice fishing season this year! 

Black Powder Season starts in a week and we are ready.  We have hunts here in the Belgrade’s and a the lodge in Bingham.  If you want to hunt this year, give me a ring and we’ll put something together for you.

~ Mike

 

I finally put a new roof on the camp!  It took a while to get to it, but it’s done (in 2 days!).  Pretty hard putting it up with the wind blowing hard across the lake, but it’s finished.  At one point I thought the wind was going to blow me off the camp roof.

As for deer hunting, the season is here!  Next week we had a cancellation, so the camp is open.  I’ve got some good spots all scouted and myself and our other guides are ready to go.  The cottage in Mt Vernon is also available and that offers some great hunting too.  Next week we’ll even break up the week so if you want to hunt for a few days, that’s fine.  Tomorrow I’m going to put up one more stand deep in a cedar bog where I know there is a giant.  Cross your fingers or better yet, come sit in that stand!