Bob Howe and the Pine Grove Program for those who served

Mountain Gazette, March 7, 2013 edition, p. 10.
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Bob Howe (right) at Yankee Sportsman's Classic

One of the seminar speakers I was fortunate enough to hear speak at the 2013 Yankee Sportsman’s Classic in Essex Junction back in January was Bob Howe. Bob is a Registered Maine Master Guide with a lodge in Pleasant Ridge Plantation, Maine, who started hunting and trapping at age 10. Bob spoke about hunting coyotes and snowshoe hare, the latter with beagles from his pack of 27. Bob comes across as a quintessential Maine Guide – tall, bearded, self-deprecating, dry sense of humor, and exuding competence.

Bob has been guiding professionally for almost 40 years. He said he goes to about 14 sportsmen and trade shows a year where he sells his snowshoes and snowshoe furniture to raise funds for his Pine Grove Program (more about that below). Most of Bob’s guiding business is generated by word of mouth. Bob guides about 250 times a year – hunting and fishing for just about all legal game in the State of Maine.

In 1998, Bob and his wife, Andrea, bought Pine Grove Lodge (http://www.pinegrovelodge.com/). The lodge is a four-season sporting camp with room for up to 45 people. They offer guide service, cabin rentals, bed & breakfast stays, and many activities.

Back when Bob was just 18 he started taking military Veterans on fishing trips. He’d go to the local VFW and offer older Veterans rides to the lake and fishing tackle to use. Once Bob and Andrea bought their lodge, Bob began offering free sporting trips to Veterans and members of the armed services he would meet at trade shows. This was the beginning of the “Pine Grove Program.” After 9/11, they started inviting first responders to 9/11 and other disasters to participate in the wilderness adventures. The program has grown into a plan of action, with many helping hands, fundraisers, and organized events for groups, as well as private trips for the American hero and his or her family. Bob is a big believer in the natural therapeutic benefits of the Maine outdoors. The mission of the Pine Grove Program is to provide free outdoor experiences to Service members, Veterans, Gold Star Families, and first responders to major man-made and natural disasters. You don’t have to hunt or fish to enjoy the program. It provides an opportunity for participants to enjoy the outdoors and relax and reconnect. If you or someone you know could benefit from the program, you can obtain more information at www.pinegroveprogram.com/. The program is also wonderful at accommodating people with disabilities.

Bob and Andrea are truly generous people. Bob loves the outdoors and it shows. He can tell a good story, especially about hunting with his beagles. How could stories about 27 beagles not be entertaining? Even without the generosity of running the Pine Grove Program, it would be tough not like a guy who is so devoted to his dogs.

If you are interested in the Pine Grove Program, please give Bob and Andrea a call, they are expecting you. If you’re simply a humble sportsman or woman, too old to enlist in the military, but otherwise interested in some great hunting and fishing opportunities, you can also give Bob and Andrea a call. I’m hoping to get up to the Pine Grove Lodge next March for snowshoe hare and coyotes.

Upcoming Local Events:

-Ruffed Grouse Society Banquet, March 9, 2013, for more information please contact Jay Pierce at 802-425-3329 or bcjtpierce@gmavt.net.

-Trout Unlimited Banquet, March 23, 2013, for more information please contact chapter president, Gary West at dewey2475@me.com.

-Duck’s Unlimited Banquet, April 6, 2013, for more information please contact Art Bristol at 802-899-2460 or awbrist@myfairpoint.com or Christy Incerpi at 802-598-6279 or cincerpi@hotmail.com.

Please visit www.sportingafield.blogspot.com for more news, musings, and interviews or to leave questions or comments.

Bob Howe, Registered Maine Master Guide and Houndsman

I met Bob Howe at the Yankee Sportsman's Classic back in January.  Bob is Registered Maine Master Guide, the owner of Pine Grove Lodge,  and was a seminar speaker on hunting snowshoe rabbit (hare) and coyotes.  Bob starts his seminars by stating that he "just does this for a living, but doesn't have all the answers."  He may not have all the answers, but I haven't thought of the questions that he can't answer.  Of course, being mildly ADD, I couldn't get past the fact that Bob has a kennel of 27 beagles. That's more than two baker's dozen (in Vermont donut speak)!

Bob (right) at Yankee Sportsman's Classic

Hunting snowshoe hare and hunting coyotes goes together.  Shooting coyotes protects the hare and deer populations and gives Bob's guests something to do at night when they aren't hunting hare.  Who'd want to stay all cooped up lying in a soft bed in a comfortably warm lodge in the middle of a Maine winter when you could be out most of the night sitting in a blind (portable heater provided) hunting coyotes?  Apparently quite a few people, at least for one night.

From what I understand, there are no wolves in Maine.  Some "sports" have a difficult time telling the difference.  One sure way to tell the difference is that if you shoot a wolf it results in a fine of several thousand dollars.  If you shoot a coyote, no problem.  It stands to reason that there are no wolves in Maine.

Coyote pelts go for $25-$45 a pelt depending upon color and quality.  If you are interested in keeping or selling the pelt use a smaller caliber rifle.

Bob in the North Woods

Bob has his guests hunt coyotes over bait - most often part of a cow carcass.  Bob has tried baiting with an entire cow carcass, but has better luck with front or rear shoulders.  Coyotes hunt in family groups and will continuing hitting the same bait as long as the dominant male keeps going back.  If the dominant male is shot, the rest of the group will move on.  Bob said some of the coyotes get pretty smart and will circle around and check the blinds to see if they are occupied before going to the bait.  (Safety tips:  wear warm boots and never have a frozen cow carcass dropped into the bed of your pickup truck.)

Ever since he was a teenager, Bob has enjoyed taking older folks out hunting and fishing.  Bob told me of the time a local retirement home called to ask if he could take one of their 92-year old residents fishing.  The staff told Bob that all this man talked about was going fishing.  Bob called the man's daughter to get permission.  With permission secured, Bob executed his plan.  Bob showed up in the man's room to tell the 92-year old that they were breaking him out.  The old guy asked where they were going and Bob told him fishing.  Bob said the man was so excited, but very concerned that the staff would catch them (of course they already knew).  Bob said they were prepared  for that and wrapped a poncho around the man and put a big Mexican hat on his head.  And off they wheeled the man to go fishing!  With their escape secured, they enjoyed a day fishing from Bob's pontoon boat.

Bob has formalized his program of offering outdoor experiences to deserving people through his Pine Grove Program.  (There will be more information on the Pine Grove Program in a post this coming week.)

Let's talk snowshoe hare hunting with dogs...beagles...lots and lots of beagles.  Bob has 27 beagles.  Twenty-six females and one lucky male.  It isn't that the females have better noses, it's that Bob thinks they focus better - mostly because they aren't marking every tree and snowbank or peeing on each other.  Having two male dogs, Bob's viewpoint seems pretty valid.

Bob thinks that March is the best time of year to hunt snowshoes.  The hare are starting to congregate in anticipation of breeding.

Bob hunts a couple dogs at a time in a cover, often setting down several groups of dogs to cover a larger area.   Bob is clearly fond of his dogs.  He breeds them specifically for hunting hare.  Bob hunts some of his older dogs just an hour or so because they love to hunt and hate being left behind.  He keeps his senior pack members long into their retirement.  Bob commented that it's the only right thing to do since they helped him to earn a living.  The covers Bob hunts are named after deceased members of his beagle pack.

Asked about the noise of 27 beagles around his lodge, Bob responded that they don't hardly make a sound if you run them 9 miles a day.  Bob has a local retiree run his pack about 9 miles a day along the logging roads.  He swims the dogs next to his boat in the summer if it gets hot.

I appreciate Bob taking the time to talk with me.  I'm hoping to make it up to his lodge next March to hunt snowshoes and coyotes...and to pick up some stories of hunting and fishing in Maine.

Yankee Sportsman's Classic

I'm still digesting all the information from the speakers and exhibitors at the Yankee Sportsman's Classic held this past weekend, from Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon, January 18th - 20th.  I won't go into what products I bought, publications I subscribed to, or organizations I joined because there is always the chance, remote as it is, that my wife could start reading my blog.  Let's just say I did my part to defend our Second Amendment rights and I will be receiving at least one extra-large publication from Maine once a month.

It was great seeing a lot of kids at the show.  Many of them were trying their hands at target shooting, archery, and fishing.  Some kids were enjoying themselves by running around with a skunk skin over their arm pretending it was alive and scaring (I mean startling) older sportsmen .  There also seemed to be many spontaneous reunions between old classmates, neighbors, and friends.

 As of Sunday night, I failed to win two raffles.  I'm OK with that.  I have my sights set on the "TWO ALL-EXPENSE PAID MANITOBA, CANADA TROPHY WHITE TAIL DEER HUNTS & TIMBER WOLF HUNTING."  If I win I will, of course, declare the value of hunt to the IRS and pay taxes on it.  I guess I'll have to if I write about it!  I got two tickets, one for me and one for my dad.  I told my dad I'd take him if I won.  I'm hoping Dad will reciprocate the favor.  The drawing is on April 30th.  (I understand that even if you decide not to hunt timber wolves in Manitoba that is no guarantee that they won't hunt you.  Seriously.)

I had the pleasure of interviewing several of the seminar speakers and vendors.  Those interviews will appear in detail in upcoming blog posts.  Here is a quick summary of what I learned:

• Fanatical outdoorsmen are just plain interesting.  They have spent thousands of hours more than you (or least me) studying their craft.  They also probably tend to support the Second Amendment more than your average citizen.
• If you love your job it doesn't seem much like work.
• If you are a self-employed lodge owner and guide in Maine you work awfully hard.
• A professional game call maker can blow through a handheld pencil sharpener and make it sound like a hen turkey or mallard duck.  So when you buy the barred owl call, don't be surprised that it sounds like a constipated goose (not that I really know what that sounds like).  Becoming proficient with anything requires practice and lots of time spent with your dog launching himself at you each time you blow into the call.
• If you are going to rattle for deer in the Northeast, rattle for at least a half hour.  And real antlers work better than a rattle bag...unless they are from most Vermont deer, then just rub two pencils together.
• The best week for rattling success is the second week in November.  The best time of day to rattle is between 10 AM and 2 PM.  (This will make Dick M. happy and reduce our chances of ever taking a midday break at the local diner.)
• The best day to take a Boone and Crockett buck is on November 11th.  To be safe, you should probably hunt other days as well.
• When hunting in Manitoba, always load your gun 300 yards from the road - the minimum legal distance.  You may not be hunting wolves, but that isn't a guarantee they won't hunt you.
• Bucks grunt while fighting.  A doe rarely comes to a buck call.  A doe usually responds to a doe call.  Husbands usually respond to the "dinners ready" call.
• Never bait coyote using an entire cow carcass.
• Never have a frozen cow carcass dropped into the bed of your pickup truck - it could break out your back window.  (I suppose you should also mention it to your significant other that you intend to bring a cow carcass home.)
• Deer are just a fancy, glorified goat.  They will climb up to 3000 feet to avoid hunting pressure.
• Beagles don't bark around the house if you run them 9 miles a day.  Swim them if it is hot.
• Snowshoe hare have two uteruses (or is it uteri?), just the does, and are almost always pregnant, even when nursing a new litter.  Unlike rabbits, hare kits are born with fur and able to see.
• March is the best month to hunt hares in Maine.
• Wood ducks are the best tasting ducks.
• It is no wonder that collecting hand-carved decoys becomes an obsession for some.
• It is possible to try hunting waterfowl without going broke.
• Passion for the outdoors and wildlife is infectious...and not easily treated (even under Obamacare).

Brian and Leo at their booth

Let me thank the following for giving me their time and for answering my many questions:

• Bob Howe (owner and Maine Master Guide) with Pine Grove Lodge;
• Ken Hammel (owner) with Mountain Hollow Game Calls;
• Brian Bouchard (owner and guide) and Leo LaBonte (guide and decoy carver) with Fields Bay Outfitters; and 
• Wayne Laroche (owner and author) with Trackometer.