NEW CONCORD -- "When hunting black bear it is important to remember three things -- sit quietly; de-scent properly; shoot straight," advised James Morse of "North Country Adventures" based in Deblois, Maine.
A resident of Senecaville, Morse recently shared his story with the New Concord Lions Club.
Back in 1995, Morse made his first bear hunting trip to Maine and in 2001 he established his own hunting camp. Deblois, the 'Blueberry Capital of the World," is located approximately an hour from both Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine, only 18 miles from the Atlantic Ocean and a 16 to18 hour drive from Guernsey County. It is a haven for black bears because of the dense cover and the plentiful food supply.
"Baiting" is legal in Maine; therefore, Morse travels to Maine for the month before hunting season to set up his 'secret recipe'and buckets of donuts to entice the bears to his nearly 1000 acre hunting site. Bear hunting season runs for one month, beginning the Monday before Labor Day.
Black bears' sense of smell is 100,000 times better than that of a human, so supplies are kept to a minimum and all equipment is de-scented before heading out. Bears travel hundreds of miles in search of food supplies. Each spring tractor trailer loads of beehives are brought into the blueberry fields and despite the fences and solar panels to keep the bears out, the bears frequently break through and eat not just the blueberries, but the bee larva which is a great source of protein.
The hunting license and tag cost $175 and are valid for only one bear. But if the hunter is lucky enough to get his bear early in the week, the fishing is also excellent. Average bears weigh 100-170 pounds but look a lot bigger. After being shot, bears can run for miles without leaving a blood trail; therefore, they are hard to track. (a good reason to shoot straight!). Once taken-down bears are tagged and placed in freezers immediately. In addition to the meat (which tastes like a cross between pork and beef - but sweeter and leaner), hunters save the skull, hide, claws, and feet.
Many of the hunters return year after year and bring friends with them. Even the most seasoned hunter gets excited at the sight of a black bear and is thrilled when any hunter in the group takes down a bear! For further information on this adventure, call Jim Morse: (740) 685-5951.
During the holidays the Lions and ladies gathered for their annual Christmas dinner at which time they were entertained by John Glenn High School String Sounds. Toys were again collected and given to Anna's Angels for distribution to needy children.
Upcoming events include the Annual Sausage Sale funding the scholarship for a resident student within the East Muskingum School District.
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