Mud Trucks

Long before we had ATV's folks had the old jeep for hunting, trapping, fishing or just exploring. The roads were rough and untamed. Then came snow sleds and ATV's. There is much dicussion on the use of ATV's and damage they might cause. This all goes back to the operator. I have a lease site that in order to get to, I must cross private lands. The owner of my lease site doesn't allow ATV's, the private landowner I cross wants no trucks, just ATV. Each states just the opposite. ATV cause damge, ATV cause less damage than a truck. With the new ATV law one is almost better to invest in a nice registered off road jeep or toyota pickup truck. The terms used today are "muddin" and "rammin". There also seems to a swing by folks, mostly under the age of forty back toward mud trucks. I think this is mostly because ATV trails are very limited, cost more than a mud truck and can't be driven on the roads. I can buy a great mud truck for a lot less than the $8,000 it costs for a new ATV and I can use the truck on the farm to do chores like harrowing field, moving manure, towing the boat or canoe. Up north - Northern Maine Woods you can have a mud truck, but no ATV - whats the choice? I recently attended a DOC planning meeting on the Lower Penobscot Area to Machias - concerns were voiced about ATV's and damage. Within seconds a voice came forward about the people with mud trucks rammin. It seems that when we are younger we like to go forward and explore with our friends, mudin and getting stuck were part of the fun of life. Did it keep me off drugs and from drinking I don't know, but I am sure it helped. Kids will tell you (mostly boys/men) there isn't much to do and we put a lot of attention to NASCAR and Speedways or things with motors on them. So I guess mud trucks are here to stay. However damage to others property is not acceptable and folks with the toys need to understand that. That Maine way of thinking, that all that timber land belongs to the people is not correct - just look at gates and road fee's. Many owners will tell you gates are a result of litter on their lands, camp break ins and road damage. We need to police ourselves to insure these lands remain open and yes I own both an ATV and Mud Truck.

Pond or Lake

One of the most common questions to the DEP or IFW biologist is what makes a Pond or Lake. Here are some comments from ME DEP/IFW - sunlight goes to the bottom of ponds; its the area or size; is it a kettle pond; truly some ponds are lakes and in Maine there is no Technical difference between the two. In fact some have the word lake before the name and some after.

In England they are called Lochs; out west everything is a lake, but in New England there is no standard.

Some thoughts across the country to decide - oh by the way no one I can find has a definition. Pond man or beaver made; lake made by creator; pond is filled by rain or stream - lake has stream and springs; its size; its depth; is the current in the body of water; its how clear it is; there is no standard; inlet v outlet; water temp on surface is difference than bottom; desolved oxygen at bottom; ph level; plants in the middle or a lot of alage; waves more than 12 inches; made by a glacier. These are just a few offered by biologists around the country. I say it should be depth, over 20 feet and greater than 10 acres is a lake. What do you think.

Cougar

Mountain Lions in Maine, hogwash is what most folks report. Well Mike, Snook and I will tell you different. Over the years we have seen these large cats, from Burlington to Alligator. In fact on my web site, I have a place for folks to report seeing a large cat. There are reports of wardens seeing the cats. This time of year, what few lions we mostly likely have in Maine are either tending kittens or breeding. I doubt we have more than a hand full of cats roaming the state, but is nice to know they are here.

Gold Panning

It is time to bring out the gold equipment again. I have a sluice, pans, pots and gear ready to go. One thing is certain Zach and crew love panning for gold. While we haven't found any yet, they get to play in water and what kid doesn't want to play in water all day long. From time to time to do find special rocks or tid bits that are always lugged home for show. It is suggested to make sure you find a fast moving stream, some bedrock, quartz, black sand and then go in search of those few specks that might exist. It is highly unlikely you will find the mother lode, but who knows. Just think, back a 100 years, all the payroll monies that were sent up St. Croix, Machias, Penobscot and Union to name a few. This was done by foot, and then paid to the men at camp. As they came down stream, be sure a few pockets had holes or packs were lost. Who would tell you that the bottles those men drank from could now be worth thousands of dollars. There is so much history out there in our great state, that a day of exploring always pays off with something.

Machias Issues

The Machias River is really the longest free flowing river in Maine. It travels through a wonderful semi wilderness setting and offers much to the traveler. From a class 3 section, to falls to great fishing. It is truly a jewel of Maine. The problem comes in the amount of funding that is directed toward maintaining campsites along the river and their care. The RIPS at Route 9 for example are in need of serious repair and upgrade. Everyone love the lean too's, but the one remaining is old and getting rough. It is time to do some serious fund raising, bring the issues forward and put funding into recreation and tourist who visit these waters.

Loons

Here is an excellent article in this Fridays report from IFW regarding loons and trout. There are pictures of loons taking trout over 18" long - think about that 5-8 pounds per day per bird. These were taken on remote ponds managed for trophy fish. As the biologist states, we use your license money to manage the waters, stock the waters, limit the size of the fish you can take, must be over 18". Only to most of all the trophy or large fish eaten by birds. I hear that loon tastes a little like Eagle, dark meat. hahaha.

New Blog

This is a new blog on Maine Outdoors