[bigbuck200]

I just wanted to say hi to all of you guys from Maine. I hunted up there in 95 and 98. We're supposed to come up again this year. I would be there every year if I could get the last week of deer off. How many of you are into tracking in the snow? Any luck or stories you want to share? That's my goal...to get a Maine buck while tracking. We really don't have that option here in PA. There isn't much in the way of big woods. We have lots of deer and I've taken many, but no slammers.

 

[aroostookbasser]

If you want to track deer in snow you'll have to hope we get some in the last week of gun season or hunt muzzleloader. Snow tracking is not a guaranteed thing up here either.

 

[John Porter]

bigbuck200,
Tracking really isn't rocket science nor is it hard to figure out. The grueling thing is being able to jump on a track day in and day out for as long as it takes to get that buck.
You ever heard of the Benoits from Vermont? Well the little birdy sitting on my shoulder just relayed a message to me. Seems as my buddies Lane,Laney and Shane will be here in Maine in June putting on a 3 day demo and talk on tracking big bucks. If this lil birdie is correct then it will be the 17-19 of June at the Allagash Sporting Camps owned by Mike Parchette. I will post more on this by Friday as its a long flight for my lil birdy to get all the info. LOL
Now seriously, yes the 3 Benoits will be here in Maine on those dates and I'll post the rest of the information as soon as I call Laney today.
John

 

[aroostookbasser]

Hey BB200: If you want to try your tracking skills keep an eye on the weather patterns. If you punch in 04730 or 04769 into the weather Channel and see snow on the ground. I can get you a room at the Inn and I'll even take you where we can get you on a track.

 

[sremington]

bigbuck, that's a sweet deal. I'd take him up on that... :wink:

 

[aroostookbasser]

6 months 'til deer season !!!!!!!!

 

[shooterme]

Big Buck 200, Good luck this year in maine. If you want to hunt on snow you want to think about those towns with elevation. Where I hunt I had snow on the ground most of the month but only a couple of good tracking cond. days. As for smashers, my last one was 3 years ago but the last 2 years only seen 4's and spikes. Hope to take a little more time off this year. John Porter was talking about the benoits I just finish watching there 3rd video. Its not as good as the 1st ones. Not much tracking in this one. There going to be at the sportsman show in Wilton this weekend. I talked to Hal blood and he said hes doing seminars at both shows also this year.

 

[sremington]

John Porter has an article about tracking deer you might find helpful too:

Tracking Down Deer

 

[aroostookbasser]

Now that was a good read...nice work John!!!!!

 

[kenton6]

Welcome to the Maine Hunting Forums Big Buck.

Yeah, I just posted John Porter's article at the web site after I read it and spent hours on end editing it (not really, that was a joke).

It's a good read. Simple and to the point but loaded with a lot of helpful information.

All I been reading about in PA this winter is the number and size of some of the black bear taken there this year. Do you get into any bear hunting?

 

[bigbuck200]

bear in PA

Kenton,

Yeah we have some good luck here in PA on bear. We are not allowed to hunt over bait though. We have taken around 7 bears in the last 10 years which is great success here. I took one that went 220 in 1995. I missed one in 2002 and this year I totally blew it again. I missed one that went over 300...1st shot grazed a hemlock and 2nd shot I just missed at 12 yards...no excuses.

Our former bear bioligist says that bears in PA grow larger than anywhere in North America. This year our harvest was over 4,000...another record and the largest yet. Each year there are a handful that go over 700 lbs and our state record is about 860lbs. Most average in the 150 to 200 lb, but there are many that go over 300 also.

Let me know if you want any other info.

Thanks guys for making an out-of-stater feel welcome!

 

[bigbuck200]

Benoits

Guys,

Yes, I have heard and am very familiar with the Benoits, and the Berniers, and Hal Blood. I have read all of the books by the Benoits and Berniers and have all of the videos. Does anyone know how Larry Benoit is? I haven't heard or seen him in the recent videos.

Great Northern Productions posts all of the Benoits deer pics if any of you are interested. They shoot Benoits' videos.

 

[John Porter]

Re: Benoits

Guys, Does anyone know how Larry Benoit is?

I was at the Worcester Sports show in Feb. with the Benoits. Larry is doing good just getting up there in age. Will be a sad day when we must put him to rest as he has helped alot of wannabee's become decent trackers over the years.
John

 

[Lil John]

Welcome to the site bigbuck200, I hope you enjoy it here.
Good luck to you when you get back to Maine, I hope you put your tag on a brute.
Don't put all your eggs in one basket though. You could encounter any kind of weather durring the month of November, try to be ready for a wide spectrum of opportunities in the big woods. The hunter who is ready for anything, is the hunter who can fill a tag.
Tracking can also be done on bare ground with the right conditions, but the track needs to be smoking hot and you will need to realy take your time.

 

[Lil John]

John Porter,
What day were you at the sportsman show in Worcester?
I was there on Saturday and spent a good part of the day with Lane and Shane, I covered the table for them when they were giving the seminar.
I don't recall meeting you. Were you working a booth or just down for the show?
I always like meeting folks from the sites I visit, put a voice and a face to the writen word. Maybe next year we can get together over a beer.

 

[John Porter]

Lil John,
I was there all 4 days . Had the Sportsmans Edge booth right acroos from Allagash Sporting Camps booth. We(Mike,Barry,Dave and myself) hung out all weekend together. Lane spent alot of time over with us 4 that day he got shut off from buying beer because he was 3 minutes late for starting his seminar, he had to go out to Ole Blue, and brought beer in.
Did you see a guy where a Badger hat down there all weekend?

 

[Lil John]

I did see a couple of fellas with some kind of dead critter on thier heads, :roll: I thought they looked sorta funny myself. :lol:
It must have been Friday the ole boy was shut off, I saw him getting beer on Saturday.
You got to be careful what cup you grab round them fellas.

 

[John Porter]

It could have been Friday. I lose track off time when I leave Maine. My badger goes with me to every show--kids love it. I think I got a picture of it that I might post.LOL
I know what you mean by watching what cup you grab..LOL

 

[bigbuck200]

Benoits

I didn't realize that some of you guys know the Benoits. That is really something. I'm 36 now and I look up to these guys like their bigger than life. I would really love to meet them someday. Did any of you ever hunt with them?

 

[Lil John]

bb200,
I have known the Benoit family for about eight years now.
They are a great bunch of folks, and I am glad I got to know them.
I hope you get to meet them some day, and I hope you get the chance to sit and talk with them.
I have yet to hunt with them. I've come close once or twice, but schedules just didn't mesh.