“Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think.” Art Libby, the late and great Sebago Guide

Hello everyone!

Well you’ve probably mowed the lawn for the last time this year and have your firewood in for the oncoming winter. That’s a good thing because it means all those good seasons start real soon.

As we speak, the coastal bow hunt for deer is ongoing, regular bow season very soon to begin, upland bird and duck hunting, foliage rides (leaf peeping), and let’s not forget apple picking, all of these activities kick in real soon.

We are very fortunate we all live in an area with so much to do that is encompassed in such natural beauty. Speaking of beauty, just about Oct. 1, I would suggest taking the family on the short hike up Douglas Mountain in the town of Sebago. The hike itself will take any average person 25 minutes. Yes, it is fairly steep in places but when you finally get to the stone tower, you will get the foliage fix of a lifetime.

Another great way to kill a few hours is our late season fishing. Many of our small ponds are open to fishing into October. It gets really good again due to the temperature change in the water. Some great places I can suggest include Moose Pond in Denmark and Bridgton, Hancock Pond in Sebago and Denmark, and also another beauty is Peabody Pond in Sebago. The bass will be active and hungry so give it a whirl.

It’s also time to start practicing with your deer weapon. The bow hunters have already been shooting for weeks and you gun hunters need to start shooting those rifles. Re-sighting them if needed and to get any repairs done now, instead of the last minute. Gunsmiths get mighty grumpy when you show up two days before deer season expecting miracles, I can assure you that repair jobs just “Ain’t Gonna Happen”!

Speaking of deer rifles, I personally have more guns than I have brains. When in reality you only need one, a firearm that fits you, that’s comfortable and that you shoot well. The more that you use just one gun, the more you get familiar with its functions, the safety and its point ability. After years of using that same rifle over and over it will become an extension of your arm, and that’s a good thing!

Many people have often asked me, if you could have only one rifle Hutch, what would it be? I always answer with the same reply, “That would be a model 760 or 7600 Remington pump, preferable a carbine, chambered in 30-06 caliber.” Why, you ask? Well, first of all, you can find 30-06 ammo just about anywhere you go. It’s powerful enough to cover any range of game in this state and at 50 yards it devastates deer and on that rare occasion it still can knock ’em flat at 250 yards.

Why the Remington pumps? Well, for one it’s light, I’ve also never seen one jam, it’s very quick pointing and they are extremely accurate. Set up with a low-powered scope or receiver or “peep” sight, they hang sweeter than a pile of grandma’s cookie. If you’ve ever seen the famous Benoit family of Vermont on video or by book, or the very successful buck hunter from Standish by the name of Dick Bernier, take a look at their choice of rifle. It’s a Remington pump and they know how to use them.

Until next time, fish hard, hunt hard, and be safe.

Hutch

Outdoors columnist David Hutchins lives in Sebago.