The crisp fall air … the falling leaves crunching under foot … a thin layering of snow … the smell of the dampened earth and the bite of cold in a deep breath. Yup, it’s time to go in search of a trophy buck, and Maine Registered Guide Jim Hunt of Houlton is ready to ‘tailor a memorable’ outdoor hunting encounter.
Snuggled on the fringe of Russell Lake in Linneus, Hunt’s End Camps offers a variety of services from teaching the basics of hunting to planning the perfect hunt.
“We offer a junior hunter’s program,” said Hunt. “It in no way is a substitute for a Hunter’s Safety Course. The purpose of it is to keep the tradition alive, along with offering young people a chance to experience what many of us take for granted.”
A tradition handed down through generations is becoming a faded memory for many families.
“Families today are busy,” Hunt said. “The mom and dad of this generation may not hunt like our generation did. Yet, Grampie hunts and the child wants to hunt. I can show them an avenue to use.”
Hunt has no problem meeting with the parents and junior hunters going through how to get started, where to go, what gun to buy and even target shooting with the youngster.
“I want the junior hunter to respect a gun,” he said. “Scouting trips are another thing we can do with the youth or even an adult. Tracking to track identification, map and compass work and general woodsmanship. This is probably the most fun and informational way to understand a hunt.”
Among the many aspects of Hunt’s End Camps, the top three employed are safety, ethics and fun.
“If you’re comfortable in the woods and confident in your abilities, you will have a lot more enjoyment in what you are doing,” Hunt explained. “Safety is our number-one priority, along with knowing your limits.”
Hunt does a crash course in a compass reading and he reviews Maine laws with his clients. Some of the laws include when and where guns can be loaded to wearing hunter orange, along with always telling someone where you are going and when you plan to return. Seeking proper landowner permission is also emphasized.
“Most landowners are very good about letting you on their land if you ask,” he said. “I have only been denied once. But, the landowner gave me other names to ask permisson of.”
If there are questions on laws since sometimes they are a bit gray, Hunt advises to call the warden service or ask a registered guide.
“Common sense is probably the correct answer,” he said.
Understanding the law is a hunter’s responsibility.
“My definition of ethics is doing the right thing, while nobody is watching,” Hunt said. “We have laws in place for a reason. We may agree with them or not, but if you are out in the woods observing these laws or helping a landowner out, you build a reputation not only for yourself, but hunting and outdoor recreation in general.”
Above all else, Hunt recommends everyone take a Hunter Safety Course.
“What I do is not a substitute for the course,” said Hunt. “I took the course with my kids and I still learned things from it.”
Jim Hunt and his son Gage with a turkey
The last thing on any hunt, whether youth or adult, is to have fun.
“There should be no undo pressure to these activities,” Hunt said, “Keep it safe and then it will be fun.”
Hunt’s End Camps is a relatively new business, starting just three years ago.
“I got lucky with the camps,” Hunt said. “Dad bought property and we started putting the camps in. It’s been great spending time at camp and discussing the camps with dad. He has been a major help.”
Hunt’s End Camps consist of two small cabins on the lake with gas lights and a gas stove, along with a woodstove and indoor plumbing. There is no running water and cell phones won’t work, said Hunt.
“You can kayak or canoe on the lake,” said Hunt.
Working at Tate and Lyle during the week, Hunt’s outdoor passion evolved into a sideline business.
“It’s slow right now,” he said. “Every one wants to go, but, they don’t want to spend the money during this economic downturn.”
Licensed in hunting, fishing and recreation, Hunt is also a professional guide. He just finished the bear and moose hunts, and will be preparing for the deer season.
“For deer season, the hunter goes with me and we track,” said Hunt. “It’s one-on-one.”
The bear season ran from Aug. 31 through Sept. 26 this year.
“Brad Lambert, who I work with, helps me with the baiting and tree stands,” said Hunt. “Our clients are mostly in-state, with a few coming from out-of-state. Bear season, right now, is where the money is to help offset expenses.”
To bait one site for bear cost $300, according to Hunt.
“I had eight guys come this year,” he said. “They saw 19 bear all together. As a guide, I bait daily because I need those bear to come. I want my clients to harvest a bear, but the experience of seeing how silent and powerful these animals are is a high priority. It’s ultimately their decision to shoot.”
In the spring and summer, Hunt often works alongside his brother Kevin, who owns Highland Outfitters and Guide Service in Bridgton, for turkey season and fishing. Kevin tries to get north to help with the fall hunts.
With all that goes into operating a guide service, the most rewarding part is not only seeing others appreciate the outdoors, but watching his own family develop the same love for the outdoors.
“It’s been fun to watch my three children develop their own styles and likes of hunting,” Hunt said. “My oldest son, Jacob, likes to get out, wander through the woods and put a stalk on. Gage, my second son, likes the faster pace of bird and turkey hunting, while my daughter MacKenzie enjoys any time in the woods she gets. She will sit in a bear blind for hours, whether we bring home a bear or not. She always has a story.”
The Hunt family at the camp
Recently, Hunt’s wife Christine got her first taste of hunting under the apprentice hunting program.
“She got a bird,” said Hunt. “Now, she says she is ready for a bear.”
The Hunts want to pass their love of the oudoor onto others.
“We do what we do to help others build their own experiences that we have already for ourselves,” said Hunt. “We want to help make it a little more enjoyable. It’s a great way to make friends. Let us know what your passion is, and we will show you how to get started.”
To reach Hunt, call him at 207-532-1532; e-mail huntsendcamps@yahoo.com or visit his brother’s Web site at www.huntingmainebear.com.
When schedules allow, the Hunt family piles into the truck and loads up the snacks, heading to the woods to either go moose calling or old-fashion heater hunting.
“It can be a lot of fun,” Hunt said. “Another thing we enjoy doing is looking at the photographs off our game cameras. You never know what you’ll get. It’s a great tool and another way of sharing what we do. We all huddle around the computer and check out the animals and guess size, weight and markings.”
There are different reasons to why people hunt. For the Hunt family, it’s about sharing experiences.
