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Seeing as we are now staring a new year in the face, this is a good opportunity to reflect on past Woods and Waters columns and make some projections for the future. That’s this writer’s way of saying I am exhausted due to the hunting seasons, and am experiencing writer’s block, so this column will be short and sweet.
Seriously, I can’t believe this is my 27th Woods and Waters column for Bangor Metro magazine. I remember the premier issue in June of 2005 and how I labored over my first column and illustration about Maine’s successful wild turkey reintroduction. Every month since then I have tried to throw some words together accompanied by an illustration or photo that the readers of Bangor Metro would find interesting, informative, and hopefully enlightening. And frankly it hasn’t gotten any easier. The biggest challenge every month is coming up with subject matter dealing with traditional outdoor sports—that would be of interest to the general readership of this regional magazine. I don’t take this responsibility lightly and feel privileged for this opportunity to NOT preach to the choir.
Sometimes an idea is a no-brainer like a story about the torment of blackflies for a summer issue (Summer Guide ’07), or hunting dogs prior to bird season (October ’05). Other columns can require considerable research, such as the moose hunting lottery (July ’05) or Sunday hunting proposals (November ’05). Many carry more bite and controversy, like coyote control (March ’06) and bear baiting (September ’07).
I’ve written lighter fare about brook trout (May ’06) and smallmouth bass fishing (August ’05). Then there are columns that made me reveal more about myself than I felt comfortable with, like owning a leased family camp (August ’06), the loss of hunting areas (September ’06), and my recent column on an heirloom rifle (October ’07). The list goes on, with columns on gardening, eating wild game, bow hunting, striper fishing, and the sportsman’s Christmas wish lists.
So do you see my dilemma? The well can get a bit low, so that’s where you all come in. With your help and a good snow melt this spring, I’m sure the water will rise and I’ll come up with a new round of inspiration. Is there a certain fishing technique you want to learn? Maybe there is interest in how various game calls are used. Should this column be more informative and cover legislative issues that affect sportsmen? Do you want more light-hearted, observation-type columns and less hard-hitting controversial ones? You tell me. Email your ideas to editor@bangormetro.com and they will be forwarded directly to me.
Some subjects I do plan on writing about and am researching now are nuisance beaver trapping, wolf introduction, sporting and conservation groups, Atlantic salmon, and taxidermy. There are a few themes that you will have to forgive me for steering back to, like lamenting the rapid development that is threatening open lands and access to private lands; and counteracting the negative attitude many have towards traditional outdoor pursuits such as hunting, trapping, and, yes, even fishing, to a degree.
As I look back on the efforts by this magazine’s staff and the writers and contributors when it was in its infancy, I realize that many new readers and subscribers may have found us late in the game. To them I strongly suggest checking out the archives on www.bangormetro.com, not just to read my old columns, but to also discover all the other great content that nudged this magazine into adulthood.
What do you know, my editor will be happy that I reached my word count, writer’s block and all.
Brad Eden is an artist, writer, Registered Maine Master Guide, and owner/editor of the online magazine www.uplandjournal.com.
Seriously, I can’t believe this is my 27th Woods and Waters column for Bangor Metro magazine. I remember the premier issue in June of 2005 and how I labored over my first column and illustration about Maine’s successful wild turkey reintroduction. Every month since then I have tried to throw some words together accompanied by an illustration or photo that the readers of Bangor Metro would find interesting, informative, and hopefully enlightening. And frankly it hasn’t gotten any easier. The biggest challenge every month is coming up with subject matter dealing with traditional outdoor sports—that would be of interest to the general readership of this regional magazine. I don’t take this responsibility lightly and feel privileged for this opportunity to NOT preach to the choir.
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Sometimes an idea is a no-brainer like a story about the torment of blackflies for a summer issue (Summer Guide ’07), or hunting dogs prior to bird season (October ’05). Other columns can require considerable research, such as the moose hunting lottery (July ’05) or Sunday hunting proposals (November ’05). Many carry more bite and controversy, like coyote control (March ’06) and bear baiting (September ’07).
I’ve written lighter fare about brook trout (May ’06) and smallmouth bass fishing (August ’05). Then there are columns that made me reveal more about myself than I felt comfortable with, like owning a leased family camp (August ’06), the loss of hunting areas (September ’06), and my recent column on an heirloom rifle (October ’07). The list goes on, with columns on gardening, eating wild game, bow hunting, striper fishing, and the sportsman’s Christmas wish lists.
So do you see my dilemma? The well can get a bit low, so that’s where you all come in. With your help and a good snow melt this spring, I’m sure the water will rise and I’ll come up with a new round of inspiration. Is there a certain fishing technique you want to learn? Maybe there is interest in how various game calls are used. Should this column be more informative and cover legislative issues that affect sportsmen? Do you want more light-hearted, observation-type columns and less hard-hitting controversial ones? You tell me. Email your ideas to editor@bangormetro.com and they will be forwarded directly to me.
Some subjects I do plan on writing about and am researching now are nuisance beaver trapping, wolf introduction, sporting and conservation groups, Atlantic salmon, and taxidermy. There are a few themes that you will have to forgive me for steering back to, like lamenting the rapid development that is threatening open lands and access to private lands; and counteracting the negative attitude many have towards traditional outdoor pursuits such as hunting, trapping, and, yes, even fishing, to a degree.
As I look back on the efforts by this magazine’s staff and the writers and contributors when it was in its infancy, I realize that many new readers and subscribers may have found us late in the game. To them I strongly suggest checking out the archives on www.bangormetro.com, not just to read my old columns, but to also discover all the other great content that nudged this magazine into adulthood.
What do you know, my editor will be happy that I reached my word count, writer’s block and all.
Brad Eden is an artist, writer, Registered Maine Master Guide, and owner/editor of the online magazine www.uplandjournal.com.
