Friday, November 15, 2013

Anti-Bear Hunting Referendum Threatens Maine's Outdoor Traditions

More challenges are building for 2014. After sportsmen defeated proposed state anti-gun laws during the 2013 legislative session, Maine’s hunting traditions will face yet another challenge in 2014. An out-of-state anti-hunting group has raised $3 million to promote a state-wide referendum to eliminate bear hunting over bait. Ten years ago the group’s attempt failed by a slim margin of 47% to 53% thus bolstering its will to try again.  
Rather than allowing wildlife biologists to manage bears using research and science, this group is using emotional and deceitful tactics to end hunting bear over bait by constitutional amendment. Hunters and business people are justifiably concerned about this new challenge to proven bear management practices. Moreover, many believe this effort is just another coordinated step by anti-hunting / anti- gun groups to eliminate hunting traditions.
Maine is a small state and this anti-group’s $3 million budget goes a long way. The voting margin would be thinner today. Therefore, defeating this referendum is going to take a skillfully coordinated effort, coupled with a supporting budget, or 2014 could be the last year Maine’s elusive black bear will be hunted over bait.

OMM Outfitters is helping with the fundraising for the fight. Would you also help? Your check made out to the Maine Sporting Camps Association and mailed to me ASAP would indeed be appreciated. Also, would you ask others to help, including clubs and foundations, we’ll need all the help we can get.  Nearly the entire budget of this anti-hunting group is from out-of-state activists – many from the entertainment industry. Apparently, they would rather see our children playing video games than benefitting from the character building traditions of hunting. Please call me with questions. Also, I would be happy to discuss this matter with your friends and allied groups. One last thought, you might want to elevate the Maine black bear in priority on your hunting bucket list. 

Monday, October 28, 2013

The Sounds that Make Moose Charge


The anticipation and thrill of calling a moose into bow shot range fuels sales for modern electronic game calls. They really work. A great electronic caller starts with clear recordings from the North Maine Woods and elsewhere. Nathan has spent hours in the woods capturing these sounds with the animal sound professionals from FoxPro.



FoxPro's Steve Dillon recording moose sounds

Friday, October 4, 2013

Outdoors Author Bernie Barringer Harvests a Bear with OMM Outfitters

Bear Hunting Magazine's Bernie Barringer

Author Bernie Barringer joins Nathan for a late season Bear Hunting and Trapping Adventure


Bernie is a popular writer for Bear Hunting Magazine and Author of many articles and books about hunting.

Bernie began bowhunting in 1973 as a 14-year-old. This became a lifelong addiction. For more than 35 years, he has pursued small game, whitetails and bears across the Midwest, but he is expanding his experiences to include other species in other parts of North America.

After a few years in the 1980’s as a professional fur trapper, Bernie has worked as an outdoor writer in fishing and hunting, plus in promotions and marketing in the fishing business for more than 20 years. He has written more than 300 magazine feature articles and nine books. The Bowhunting Road web log is a response to the request of people who are fascinated by his passion for bowhunting and his ability to tell a story in a compelling way. Bernie is “living the dream” as he chases game with stick and string each year.

Read about Bernie's "Maine Event":

http://www.omagdigital.com/article/THE+MAINE+EVENT/1584684/0/article.html

Friday, September 27, 2013

Three Generations Participate in Trophy Moose Hunt



Grandson Harvests a Trophy Moose in WMD 3 as Father and Grandfather capture the hunt in HD Video

Three Generations of the Trudela Family
Nathan with Darrell Jr. and Son


Friday, September 20, 2013

Combo Goose / Bear Hunts to Remember

Smoked summer goose sausage rolls
make great gifts for clients

September is a great month for a combination Goose and Bear hunt. A six bird limit makes for an action-packed morning. The afternoon / evening is spent in the stand in anticipation of that monster bruin sauntering up to the bait barrel.

Ed Schoppman, Executive
Government Sales - L-3-EOTech
John Bailey, L-3 / EoTech, Sales Executive.
Holographic sights are perfect for low light conditions.

John Way, owner,
The Tackle Shop
Montana's Oldest Fly Shop




Monday, July 15, 2013

Legendary Eagle Lake Fishing Returns

Robert Lowe and Dan Hayes

So does a Solid Brass Propeller Restored and Now Displayed in the Roosevelt Dining Room


Robert Lowe and Dan Hayes from Connecticut have been fishing Eagle Lake for over 40 years. Although they visited the site of the Eagle Lake Sporting Camps many times over the years while fishing and camping along the thoroughfare, 2013 was the first time they made the camps their destination. Both were rewarded with the best fishing they had ever experienced around Eagle Lake.

The two are shown at the left holding the original propeller from the inboard Gray Marine boat engine. The boat now rotting away near the thoroughfare transported guest to the camps from the 1930's. The propeller was recovered and carefully restored and displayed in Connecticut until returned to its home when Bob and Dan visited.



Fish Biting in the Salmon Pools
Yes!

Monday, July 1, 2013

June 2013 Florida Hog - Alligator - Axis - Hunts With OMM Outfitters

Florida Alligators

Three Generations Enjoy Graduation Celebration at Florida Ranch with OMM Outfitters

JUNE 2013

AR Action on the Range






Unprecedented rainy weather filled the ponds and kept the ranch roads muddy into Thanksgiving. But before the real wet weather arrived OMM clients from Atlanta and Seattle enjoyed the shaded shooting range, action-packed alligator hunts with new AR rifles, Maine lobster, and thick Delmonico Steaks!

Maine Lobsters and Steak at the Florida Ranch
Axis Deer at the Ranch

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

2013 Moose Mania in Greenville, Maine
33rd Moose Lottery


View from the Black Frog Restaurant in Greenville.
The historic Katahdin floats proudly.
Hunters last year bagged 2,937 moose out of the awarded 3,725 tags. An IF&W survey now estimates the moose population at more than 76,000 - up from 30,000 just a few years ago. Wow. What a difference from previous estimates.


Maine has a high moose/vehicle collision rate.
Interesting fact; The eyes of a moose do not shine like
that of a deer in the headlights. 


Currier's Flight service provides
excellent float plane charters for those
who want to get a better view.
The countless hours we spend in aircraft can yield some breathtaking views.
The amount of moose sightings we see is also most amazing.

 According to the department more than 52,000 applications were submitted for the 4,110 permits that were awarded.
Lupen are one of Maine's finest wild Flowers.
They are found around the landscape in abundance.
Colors are purple, white, blue and yellow.










The festivities at the event in Greenville, Maine on Moosehead Lake ranged from home-run derby for kids to local carving demonstrations for adults. Great food and good spirits were found in abundance. It truly was a time for friends and family to come together and enjoy this 33 year tradition.



(Jereme Thaxton Photography)

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

New for 2013! OMM Outfitters offers moose hunts from beautiful Outpost lodge located in WMD 1 and within 20 miles from WMD's 2,4,5.


Cabin 1 and main Lodge.


Inside the main lodge.






The camps were built 70 years ago and are rich in history. Six guest log cabins with 2 to 4 beds in each make up the accommodations. Some have enclosed porches. All cabins are equipped with Vermont Castings wood stoves with glass doors for heat and propane lights. Also, all cabins have running water with flush toilets and showers, amenities not found in some of the camps in Allagash country. WIFI by satellite link helps you stay in touch.


Our outpost offering is situated in prime moose hunting area known for trophy bull moose. The vast, forested North Maine Woods offer many untouched honey holes for you to have your once-in-a-lifetime experience. OMM Outfitters and the lodge will help you to achieve your goal.


The outpost lodge is located on the Chemquasabamticook Stream, better known as Ross Stream. (T-12, R-13, 8 miles Northeast of Clayton Lake, DeLorme Atlas, Map 61). Reaching the lodge requires driving 80 miles deep in the Maine woods or flying to a gravel runway just 8 miles away. A lake just 2 miles from the lodge can be accessed by float planes.

Monday, June 3, 2013

(HOFNOD) "Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs"

Max with a great fish! Congratulations Max!

(HOFNOD)

"Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs"


June 1st, 2013, at Mantle Lake Park in Presque Isle. The Presque Isle Elks Lodge host a youth fishing derby.

Nathan, volunteers for this great event. What a great day it was! Kids of all ages fishing and learning to fish, hot dogs and prizes! The Elks has been putting this event on now for 13yrs. We would like to thank them for this great contribution for our upcoming youth sportsmen.

We would like to thank Cabela's for donating 30 great rod and reel packages.


The Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs (HOFNOD) program is the flagship youth education program of the Foundation. The program, developed 20 years ago, has been recently updated. HOFNOD uses angling skill development as a gateway to teach youth about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and how to deal with the challenges facing them in their young lives.

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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

47th North American Moose Conference & Workshop May 20-24, 2013


Nathan joined wildlife researchers from around the world at this annual event hosted by NEW HAMPSHIRE FISH & GAME DEPARTMENT, MAINE DEPARTMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES & WILDLIFE, and  VERMONT FISH & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT.

The meeting was held at the Mountain View Grand Resort Whitefield, New Hampshire in northern New England where a renaissance of moose began in the late 1970's, and is home to >75,000 moose in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont combined – outside Alaska, no region in the USA has more moose. 

Moose have high economic, recreational, and cultural importance, and after rapid expansion, management issues include population size, crop and forest damage, parasites and disease, moose-human conflicts, and climate change.

 

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Nathan's Key Unlocks World Famous "Casket" at Atlantic Salmon for Northern Maine Banquet

The annual Atlantic Salmon Spring Banquet at the Northeastland Hotel brings together sportsmen, farmers, merchants and donors.

Atlantic Salmon For Northern Maine is a nonprofit organization that is entirely volunteer run. It built, owns and operates the Dug Brook Fish Hatchery on the banks of the Aroostook River in Sheridan, ME that produces salmon fry annually. The fry are then introduced into numerous locations along the river and the cycle of the salmon begins.

With the help of volunteers, private donations and fundraisers the foundation continues to keep this threatened fish returning to one of the few native rivers in Maine. The hope is to be able to restore them to their past glory of being sought by fly fishermen from around the world.

Nathan Theriault
Nathan picked the key that opened the world famous casket featuring first class fishing equipment from various outfitters throughout the state.



Friday, March 22, 2013

OMM Outfitters trip to Talley Headquarters! Santee, South Carolina.


How it all starts!
From left to right; Gary Turner, Ron Shaffer,
Terry Johnson, Nathan Theriault




My recent visit to the headquarters of Talley Rings and bases, in Santee, South Carolina. What a first class facility. Learned a lot about machining. To produce a great product, you need innovation and only the best equipment.

Factory Floor







Display













I also met with Terry Johnson. Terry's passion is building firearms. He is a phenomenal gun builder who OMM will be working with exclusively. He builds firearms from the ground up with only the best parts in the business used. We are very excited to start our partnership with such great talent!


McMillan Stocks!


Terry Johnson holding one of his custom
wood stock firearms. 
Pictured here is a 280.
The detail in the wood is outstanding.
It is a beautiful piece.
Custom firearms stocks start
with a solid block of wood.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Florida 2013 Gators and Exotics



Bud Hughes with his Nalgai Bull. What a trophy! He made an excellent shot at 60 yards. 


Congratulations to Mark Peterson on a Great 11' Alligator. His gator hunt was action packed with the gator surfacing within feet of him. He was able to make a perfect shot sealing the deal. He also harvested an armadillo and a 200 plus pound hog!



Father, Mother, Daughter's 2013 Florida alligator and hog hunt.

2013 hunts at the Florida Ranch. Great trophies! Alligators and Hogs! Excellent memories made enjoying this great resource on an exclusive private ranch in South Florida, hosted by OMM Outfitters. Memories made by a father, mother and daughter that will last a lifetime. Congratulation's to the Swain's! 




Wow !!!   What a week !!!  More than any Dad could ever expect; a “Spring Break Hunt” with his wife and 19 year-old college daughter, Lizy, at the OMM’s Florida Ranch in sunny, warm Florida. Having been on many hunts with many outfitters over the years some good, some not so good …… OMM OUTFITTERS – Great … Awesome…! T.S. New Hampshire