Maine Outdoor Enthusiast

Every spring in Maine there’s a short window when the ice finally disappears and landlocked salmon and brook trout can be had near the surface of Maine's big lakes. For generations, anglers have taken advantage of that moment by slowly trolling classic streamer patterns across cold, dark water.One of the most common methods is the tandem streamer, which is a traditional fly tied with two hooks. In this episode, we talk about the history of ice-out trolling in Maine, how tandem streamers work, and why this simple technique is one of the most traditional ways to catch salmon and trout in Maine. Enjoy!Check us out on the web at:https://www.maineoutdoorenthusiast.comContact:maineoutdoorenthusiast@gmail.com

There was a time when choosing hunting or fishing gear was pretty simple. A good rifle, a dependable scope, a fly rod that felt right in your hand and that was about it.Today it feels different.Endless options, endless features, and gear that seems to get more complicated every year. From rifle scopes with exposed turrets and dozens of reticle options to fly rods, reels, and lines designed for every specific situation, it’s easy to feel like the industry has gone a little overboard.So when did it happen?In this episode we talk about how the buying of hunting and fishing gear evolved, why it became so specialized, and whether all that complexity is actually helping us in the field...or just making things harder than they need to be.Sometimes simpler really is better. Enjoy!#huntinggear #fishinggear #flyfishing #riflescopes #outdoorgear #hunting #fishing

For many of us, hunting camp is more than a place, it’s a tradition.In this episode, we sit down with Rob and Darryl Wiggins, members of The Depot Lake Hunt Club in Ontario, Canada, to talk about what it takes to preserve a hunting camp in the modern era. From multi-generational membership to changing regulations and the realities of today’s outdoor culture, this conversation explores what keeps a camp alive long after its founding. What does stewardship and responsibility look like in 2026 and why these places matter. And of course, we throw in some stories to boot. Whether you hunt in Maine, Ontario, or anywhere else, the laws, methods and game may differ but the themes are the same: tradition, community, and the commitment to carry something forward.Enjoy!Be sure to check out The Depot Lake Hunt Club and Darryl "Diesel" Higgins socials as he starts his YouTube journey.https://www.instagram.com/depotlakehuntclub?igsh=MTlzb3pqajdqZWt4cA==https://www.youtube.com/@DieselDarrylhttps://www.instagram.com/dieseldarryl?igsh=MXVuNmx5MTltN2d6Check us out on the web at:https://www.maineoutdoorenthusiast.comContact:maineoutdoorenthusiast@gmail.com

When we were kids, we thought it was just play. Fishing a small brook after school or wandering through the woods without a plan...always with a BB gun in hand. Looking back, those moments weren’t without purpose. They were building outdoor skills: shooting, instinct, reading the woods and waters.Long before we called ourselves hunters or fishermen, we were learning. Learning without realizing it.In this episode, We reflect on how unstructured, unsupervised childhood play in the outdoors shaped the way many of us hunt, fish, and see the world today.Was it really “just play”? Or was it something more?Enjoy!#maineoutdoors #woodsmanship #fishinglife #huntingtradition #childhoodmemoriesCheck us out on the web at:https://www.maineoutdoorenthusiast.com

When hunting season ends, it can feel like something closes. Our routine and rhythm change and winter can feel like a drag. However, the outdoors never really stops…it just changes.In this episode, we talk about the natural shift from the woods to the water, from rifle to rod, and how the seasonal changes often mirror the personal changes happening in our own lives. Fishing, like hunting, isn’t just about catching fish, it’s restorative and a connection to something real.The Maine outdoors has a way of reminding us that nothing truly ends, it simply transitions into a new season.Enjoy!Featured Book From "Tell Me Your Life Story" Series: "Tell Me Your Life Story, Nana"https://amzn.to/3MICusNCheck us out on the web at:https://www.maineoutdoorenthusiast.comContact:maineoutdoorenthusiast@gmail.com

Today, we sit down with men who lived the Maine woods in a different era...a time when the woods were remote, gear was simple, and skill mattered more than anything.We discuss their early trips to camp, the years they served during Vietnam, how the woods have changed, and the personal stories (both humorous and hard) that shaped who they became. This podcast is really about identity and a way of life that is quietly disappearing.They are lived experiences from a generation that learned the outdoors (trial by fire, if you will), through patience, hardship, and time.The Last True Woodsmen is less about the past…and more about what still remains.#TheLastTrueWoodsmen #MaineOutdoors #OutdoorHeritage #NorthWoods #deercamp Check us out on the web at:https://www.maineoutdoorenthusiast.comContact:maineoutdoorenthusiast@gmail.com

Modern gear has never been better but does that automatically make us better outdoorsmen?This episode was inspired by a recent experiment that tested 100-year-old Everest gear against modern high-altitude equipment. The results were surprising, and they raise a bigger question that applies just as much to the Maine woods and waters: Is the real difference between traditional and modern gear about performance or about understanding?This isn’t an argument against technology. It’s a conversation about skill, dependence, and what happens when gear fails, conditions turn, or plans change. From wool and compasses to GPS units and optics, we explore where modern gear truly helps and where it can quietly replace awareness, adaptability, and experience. Let's be honest, the woods don’t care what era your gear comes from...only whether you understand it.Enjoy!If your interested in reading the article referenced in this podcast, see the link below👇"100 Years Later, George Mallory’s Primitive Everest Gear Takes on a Himalayan Peak"https://www.climbing.com/gear/new-study-george-mallory-everest-gear/Check us out on the web at:https://www.maineoutdoorenthusiast.comContact:maineoutdoorenthusiast@gmail.com

Several outdoor law changes are being discussed in Augusta. Taken together, they raise a bigger question about the future of hunting and fishing in Maine.In this episode of Maine Outdoor Enthusiast, we take a look at some of the proposals currently on the table, including:• A potential extension of muzzleloader season in northern Maine• Ongoing debates around fly-fishing-only waters• A proposed constitutional amendment recognizing the right to hunt and fish• Why Maine remains one of the only states in the country without Sunday huntingMore importantly, we step back and talk about what these conversations really signal and how Maine balances access, conservation, tradition, and science, and why reactionary lawmaking in either direction can do more harm than good.This isn’t about fear or outrage. It’s about understanding the long game and making sure Maine’s outdoor heritage stays strong for the next generation.Enjoy!#MaineOutdoors #MaineHunting #MaineFishing #PublicLand #HuntingPolicy👇 Join the conversation in the comments:What do you think these proposals mean for Maine 10 years from now?Check us out on the web at:https://www.maineoutdoorenthusiast.comContact:maineoutdoorenthusiast@gmail.com

What if the way you define success is what’s quietly ruining your hunting season?In this episode, we talk honestly about how modern hunting culture (numbers, comparisons, pressure, and highlight reels) can pull us away from what made hunting meaningful in the first place. This isn’t an argument against success. It’s a conversation about how obsession with success can steal the joy, the patience, and the lessons the woods are trying to teach us.Especially here in Maine, where seasons are short and the woods are tough, hunting has a way of humbling you. Some of the best days don’t end with a tag filled, but they still matter. In fact, they might matter more.This episode is for anyone who’s ever ended a season frustrated instead of fulfilled and for anyone who wants to hunt in a way that lasts a lifetime.Check out The Outdoor Sporting Library here:https://outdoorsportinglibrary.comCheck us out on the web at:https://www.maineoutdoorenthusiast.comContact:maineoutdoorenthusiast@gmail.com

Deer season may be over, but the work that leads to next year’s success starts right now. In this episode, we break down why the offseason is one of the most important...and overlooked parts of becoming a better hunter.From the mental reset after a long season to gear evaluation, and physical preparation, this episode is all about laying the foundation for future success. Whether you filled a tag or not, the offseason is where lessons turn into results.We also talk about goals, content ideas, and what’s ahead as we transition into winter and beyond. If you’re serious about improving your deer seasons year after year, this is where it begins.👇 Let us know in the comments:What’s one thing you’re focusing on this offseason?Topics Covered:• Mental reset after deer season• Postseason scouting strategies• Gear that earned its place (and what didn’t)• Physical conditioning for next season• Offseason goals & future plans#DeerHunting #PostSeasonScouting #MaineHunting #DeerHunting2026 #Tracking #whitetail Check us out on the web at:https://www.maineoutdoorenthusiast.comContact:maineoutdoorenthusiast@gmail.com

Maine 2025 deer season has come to a close and Christmas is right around the corner. In this episode, we take time to reflect on the past deer season...the lessons learned, the moments that stuck with us, and what the woods always teach when the season ends. We also talk the transition to Christmas and throw out some last-minute gift ideas for outdoorsmen.From quiet mornings in the timber to the scramble of holiday shopping, this episode blends end-of-season reflection with practical Christmas gift ideas for hunters and fishermen. Whether you’re still chasing the perfect gift or simply looking back on another season spent outdoors...this is where we are at! #deerhunting #christmas #reflections Merry Christmas!*Stuff in this video*1) Trayvax Contour Wallet:https://amzn.to/3KWrZRA2)Buck Knives 110 Folding Hunter Knife:https://amzn.to/4agvGvP2.5) Benchmade - Bugout Outdoor EDC Folding Knife:https://amzn.to/4pW9uwd3) Silky Professional Series PocketBoy and Big Boy 2000 Curved Blade Folding Saw:https://amzn.to/4pL8I564) "The Vermonter"- Vermont Glove:https://vermontglove.com/products/the-vermonter5) MOE Leather Journal:https://www.maineoutdoorenthusiast.com/shop/p/product-1-ydar7-e8mlb-r2y28-3ekmmBonus: Holme & Hadfield:https://www.holmeandhadfield.comCheck us out on the web at:https://www.maineoutdoorenthusiast.comContact:maineoutdoorenthusiast@gmail.com

For northern Maine, the 2025 deer season has come to an end...and what a year it has been! The deer harvest in Maine is well over 50,000 harvested in the state with still a week left to the season in some southern areas. Not to mention, my father-in-law got it done on the last day of his season during black powder week. The deer had an impressive body despite having a smaller rack than one would expect. No complaints this season! We saw lots of deer, had lots of action and filled the freezers. Well, I have one complaint...IT'S OVER!😢🤣.Enjoy!#mainedeerhunting #deerseason #itsover Check us out on the web at:https://www.maineoutdoorenthusiast.comContact:maineoutdoorenthusiast@gmail.com

Maine’s 2025 deer season week 3 brought the action we’d been waiting for. With November 15th marking what many consider peak rut, big bucks were finally on their feet...and we had tracking snow all week long! It doesn’t get any better for deer trackers.We spent the first half of the week at the tent chasing bucks, then wrapped up at Chandler Lake Camps, where I punched my tag on the very last day. It was a week filled with everything a deer hunter dreams of... hard miles, unpredictable moments, raw emotion, and a finish I’ll never forget.But honestly, the deer was just the icing on the cake. The camaraderie, the stories, and the incredible hospitality at Chandler Lake Camps made the experience truly special. Maine deer season is the best time of year and this week reminded us exactly why.A huge, HUGE thank you to Jason and Sherry Bouchard for the great experience and making camp feel special!Enjoy!Be sure to check out Chandler Lake Camps here:https://chandlerlakecamps.comCheck us out on the web at:https://www.maineoutdoorenthusiast.comContact:maineoutdoorenthusiast@gmail.com

Week 2 of the 2025 Maine deer season is here, and things are heating up fast. In this episode, we talk about our latest hunts, the patterns we’re seeing, and why this week has us more fired up than ever. From fresh rubs and active scrapes popping up in all the right places, the woods are giving us every sign that big bucks are close.Oh, and we talk tracking snow! Yes we've had some and more is on the way. This is what we wait all year for!Enjoy!#deerhunting #mainehunting #deerseason Check us out on the web at:https://www.maineoutdoorenthusiast.comContact:maineoutdoorenthusiast@gmail.com

Week 1 of Maine’s deer season brought a moment we’ll never forget. Success came full circle. The first week in the big woods, we connected on a buck in the exact same spot where my father tagged his very first 200+ lb buck back in 1988. It’s one of those rare hunting stories that ties generations together. It's a great reminder why we chase these moments year after year.Enjoy!#mainedeerhunting #deercamp #deerhunting Check us out on the web at:https://www.maineoutdoorenthusiast.comContact:maineoutdoorenthusiast@gmail.com

The Maine deer season has finally arrived. In this episode, we take you deep into the North Woods for opening day...the crisp air, the stillness of fall, and the anticipation only hunters understand.Join us as we relive the first day of deer season and share some other hunters success stories.It's more than just a hunt. It’s a look at tradition, patience, and the connection between hunter and wilderness on the first day that starts it all. Enjoy!#deerhunting #deerseasonopener #firstday Check us out on the web at:https://www.maineoutdoorenthusiast.comContact:maineoutdoorenthusiast@gmail.com

Our 2025 Maine deer season strategy: Set goals and adapt when the woods, weather, and deer have other plans.With just a few days before the opening of Maine's 2025 rifle season, we discuss our game plan (or the lack thereof 😂 ) and what to do when the woods throw you a curveball. From unpredictable weather and shifting deer movement to gear failures and inaccessible land...it's always good to have a backup plan (or a backup-backup plan) to keep the hunt alive when nothing goes as planned. That being said, often times it's simply the mindset that matters more than the actual plan. As we get ready to kick off the season, remember to have fun, enjoy your time in the woods with friends and family and that harvesting your big buck is just the icing on the cake! Enjoy!#mainedeerhunting #deerseason2025 #huntingpodcast #deercampCheck us out on the web at:https://www.maineoutdoorenthusiast.com

This week we expound upon last week's topic and address the idea of planned obsolescence...are most things made with a planned "expiration date"? We also discuss some preseason deer scouting and how some popular thoughts, such as the significance of signpost rubs, may or may not play into your deer hunting game plan. And lastly, we discuss the first Florida bear season in a decade and the opposing points of view that are applicable to all hunters who care about the sport. Enjoy!#plannedobsolescence #signpostrubs #deerhunting Check us out on the web at:https://www.maineoutdoorenthusiast.comContact:maineoutdoorenthusiast@gmail.com

Are us hunters getting played by the outdoor industry? In this episode, we discuss our views on modern hunting gear... the overpriced camo, the “scent-proof” sprays, and the endless gadgets that promise success but deliver little. Lets explore if marketing hype has replaced woodsmanship, and what gear actually matters when you’re in the Maine woods.We break down what we feel are the biggest hunting gear scams, the psychology behind why we buy, and how spending more money doesn't always improve your hunts.We have all fallen for the “next best thing,” however, sometimes the best investment is not in new gear...but in yourself! You can't "BUY" experience!😉Enjoy!#deerhunting #huntinggear #getoutsideitsgoodforthesoul Check us out on the web at:https://www.maineoutdoorenthusiast.comContact:maineoutdoorenthusiast@gmail.com

The woods are alive. Maine’s hunting season is officially in full swing. In this episode, we talk about what’s happening right now across the state: deer movement, moose harvest reports, grouse activity, and how the changing fall weather is shaping the season. So, whether you’re deep in the North Woods in search of grouse, or just dreaming of camp, this conversation captures what it means to be a Maine hunter in October. Enjoy!#mainehunting2025 #partridge #moose