An Allentown hunter has bagged a record black bear in northern Maine.
Richard Moore shot the 680-pound bruin — the biggest ever weighed in Maine according to an Associated Press report — with the help of a guide and four hunting dogs in an Aroostook County bog Sept. 13.
The previous state record was 610 pounds.
Moore’s bear was checked by a conservation officer and weighed on state-certified scales.
In a phone call yesterday, Moore said he makes the Maine hunt an annual vacation, often with others from the L.V. area. On the same morning he killed the large boar, Jimmy Jones of Slatington also shot a 270-pounder, Moore said.
Sherwood Hoffman of Slatington and Mike Follweiler, New Ringgold, also scored on 226-pound and 130-pound bears, respectively.
Moore, 49, a truck driver for B&S; Equipment with Bob Young Trucking in Bethlehem, said he hunted with John Jackson of Lexington, N.C., whose 20 plot hounds, Walkers and blue ticks are trained to run bears. Only four dogs are used on any one chase, however, according to Moore.
Bear hunting with dogs is allowed in Maine between Sept. 13 and Oct. 29. Moore used a .300 Magnum Browning rifle.
Dick Higgins of North Ridge Guide Service in Presque Isle, Me. guided the hunters in a 1,000-acre bog where the hounds tracked the bruins. Both Moore’s and Jones’ bears were taken on the same drive.
Moore said he has hunted at the Maine camp for the past 17 years.
“I’ve had magazines and newspapers calling all week,” said Moore, who is still at the backcountry retreat.
Higgins said Maine’s vast wilderness system draws many hunters with weather playing an important role in success rates.
“We tend to do better if there’s good weather,” said Higgins. “More hunters stay out and more bears are on the move (and) the availability of food also keeps more bears from denning.”
He said hunting with dogs is exciting “not so much for the taking of the bear as it is hearing the dogs trail the bear through the woods.”
For information on Higgins’ guide service call (207) 769-7681.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Outdoor Festival — The Two Rivers Chapter of Waterfowl USA will hold its first Outdoor Festival Oct. 2-3 at the Lappawinzo Rod & Gun Club near Northampton. Activities include trap shooting and sporting clays competitions both days with a decoy show and auction Sunday.
The active local waterfowl group, which has habitat projects under way at Sterner’s Island on the Lehigh River in Allentown and at the East Bangor Dam, will also hold a fund-raising dinner Saturday with a reception 5 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m.
Pre-registration is required. For additional information on the festival and/or dinner call Steve Lubenesky (797-4038) or Walt Dusza (257-1010).
Proceeds will go to area waterfowl and wetlands projects.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Waterfowl seasons — As most hunters know, waterfowl seasons in Pennsylvania are not set until early September following population surveys by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and issuance of regulations to the state game commission.
Therefore, migratory bird season dates are not available in time for inclusion in the digest provided with each hunting license.
The seasons for 1993-1994 in this newspaper’s coverage area are:
North Zone — Canada geese from Oct. 9-16 (daily bag limit one goose) and Oct. 18-Dec. 18 (daily limit two geese). Ducks from Oct. 9-23 and Nov. 6-20. Daily bag limit three.
South Zone — Canada geese from Oct. 18-25 (daily limit one), Nov. 17-Dec. 31 (daily limit two) and Jan. 1-17, 1994 (daily limit three). Ducks — Oct. 18-23 and Nov. 25-Dec. 18. Daily bag limit three.
Interstate-80 divides the two zones throughout most of Pennsylvania. The exception is a sector in portions of Montour and Lycoming counties.
In all zones, daily limits may include no more than one hen mallard, one black duck, one pintail, two redheads and two wood ducks. In addition, five mergansers (including only one hooded merganser) may be taken daily. Five snow and blue geese, which show up in Pennsylvania on occasion, may also be taken in addition to the Canada goose bag limit.
A 1993 Migratory Bird Stamp — better known as “duck stamp” — must be in the possession of any waterfowl hunter age 16 or older in addition to a state hunting license. The stamp, available at most area post offices, must be signed in ink across the face.
Ammunition is limited to non-toxic steel shot and may be no larger than T size.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
OUTDOOR CALENDAR
L.V. DUCKS UNLIMITED, SEPT. 22 — 22nd Annual Fund Raising Dinner … at Brookside Country Club, Macungie … auctions and raffles of art, carving, firearms and more … 6 p.m. reception; 7 p.m. dinner … information, Fred Nikitscher, 398-2679.
TULPEHOCKEN TROUT UNLIMITED, SEPT. 22 — Monthly meeting … at Temple Fire Co. … showing of new video on fishing the Big Hole, Madison and Yellowstone rivers in Montana … information, David Frain, 933-3372.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY DEER AND TURKEY CLASSIC, SEPT. 24-26 — At Martz Hall, Pottsville … sponsored by Pottsville Fire Dept. … seminars, turkey calling contest, exhibits … information, Lary Lonergan, (717) 622-1115.
HUNTER ED DINNER DANCE, SEPT. 25 — Northampton and Lehigh County Hunter Education Instructors … sponsored by Easton Fish & Game at Stockertown Memorial Hall … 6 p.m. … guest speaker Earl Schriver with his birds of prey … information, Raymond Ott, 837-1233.
PENNSYLVANIA DEER ASSOCIATION, SEPT. 25 — 15th Annual Meeting and Banquet … at the Embers Inn in Carlisle … annual business meeting 2 p.m. … displays and exhibits … art and equipment auctions … program on blackpowder hunting with Dave Ehrig of Mertztown … following 5 p.m. dinner … information, Jim Lawrey at 777-4647.
ONTELAUNEE ROD & GUN CLUB, SEPT. 26 — Pin Shoot … open to public … begins 9 a.m. … information, Ed Kern, 434-9874.
SPRINGTOWN ROD & GUN CLUB, SEPT. 26 — Archery Shoot (7-11 a.m.) and High Power Rifle Shoot (1-4 p.m.) … breakfast available … information, 258-0165.
BLUE MOUNTAIN FISH & GAME, SEPT. 26 — 3-D Archery Shoot … at club grounds, 1090 Wood Dr., Danielsville … McKenzie targets & 4 treestand positions … registration 7 a.m.-2 p.m. fee $5 … information, 266-0426.
CLOVER LEAF ARCHERY CLUB, SEPT. 26 — 3-D Target Shoot … 30 McKenzie and Buffalo River targets … at club range, Umbreit Rd., Milford Square … registration 8 a.m.-noon … fee $6 … open to public … information, 538-9085.
MILFORD TOWNSHIP FISH, GAME & FORESTRY, SEPT. 26 — 3-D Archery Shoot … on club grounds, Canary Road (follow signs on Route 663 after turnpike) … registration 7 a.m.-2 p.m. … information, 965-4624 or 257-3176.
MONOCACY TROUT UNLIMITED, SEPT. 28 — Monthly meeting … Room 205, Public Safety Building, Bethlehem City Hall … organizational meeting … public invited … information, Dr. Theodore Burger (691-8537) or Steve Vanya (691-2780).
FLY FISHING SCHOOL, OCT. 3 — At Indian Creek Farm, Danielsville … 8-hour course … taught by Jerry Coviello of Bucks County Trout Unlimited … $75 fee with opportunity to catch trout … information, Jerry Coviello (348-0876) or Barry Haydt (760-0739).
FORKS OF THE DELAWARE TROUT UNLIMITED, OCT. 5 — Monthly meeting … at Stockertown Memorial Hall, State & Werkheiser Sts. … program on ‘Fishing Adventures on the Green and San Juan Rivers’ with Pat Woodhead … public invited … information, Kevon Cochrane, 559-1876.
BLUE MOUNTAIN FISH & GAME, OCT. 10 — Block Shoot … on club grounds, 1090 Wood Dr., Danielsville … 12, 16 or 20 gauge … begins at noon … information, 767-4718.
BELFAST-EDELMAN SPORTSMAN, OCT. 16 — Hunters’ Night … at club house, 474 Sportsman Club Rd., Belfast … door prizes, raffles, free refreshments … tickets and information, Alan Wentzell, 253-9088.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
HUNTER/TRAPPER EDUCATION COURSES
SEPT. 21, 22, 28 & 29 — At Rural Sportsmen Association, Trexlertown … 7-9:30 p.m. all nights … information, Henry Brizzolara (395-9335) or clubhouse (398-1180).
SEPT. 24-25 — Ranger Rod & Gun Club, Ironton … 6-9 p.m. (24) and 8 a.m.-4 p.m (25) … pre-registration required … lunch Saturday … information, Franklin Hoffman (395-89420 or clubhouse (434-0919).
SEPT. 25-26 — At Belfast-Edelman Sportsmen Association … 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (25) & 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (26) … lunch served Saturday … information, Randy Fogel, 759-5872.
SEPT. 25-26 — At Lappawinzo Fish & Game, Northampton … 8 a.m.-noon (25) & 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (26) … lunch served Sunday … information, Donald Reph, 261-2072 or 262-3563.
OCT. 3-5 — At Stockertown Rod & Gun Club … 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (3) and 7-9:30 p.m. (4 & 5) … lunch served Sunday … information, Martin Bortz, 759-0763 or 759-9255.
OCT. 9-10 — At Steel City Rod & Gun Club, Bethlehem … 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (9) and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (10) … lunch served Saturday only … information, Silas Rodenbach, 838-8024.
OCT. 9-10 — At Shimerville Recreation Center Sharpshooters range … 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. both sessions … lunch served both days … pre-registration required … information, Dale Ott, 435-9356 or 797-8545.
OCT. 16-17 — At East Bath Rod & Gun Club … 8 a.m.-noon (6) and 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (7) … lunch served Sunday … information, Raymond Ott (837-1233) or Charles Skinner (837-1414).
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Submit items to: Outdoor Calendar, c/o Tom Fegely, The Morning Call, PO Box 1260, Allentown, PA 18105 or FAX at (215) 820-8654. Include the proper name of the event or meeting, date(s), time(s), place, details of event and phone number for additional information. No notices via club calendars or newsletters, please. Submit items 3-4 weeks in advance.
