The last Sportsman Show in Maine was last weekend hosted by the Presque Isle Fish and Game Association.
This is a show that everyone looks forward to. The hospitality is typical of  "the County" - very friendly and easy going. This was our 6th show- we've been in MA, NH and ME and there are several of the exhibitors that have been at the same show as us and we've gotten to know them as good friends now. One couple, Don and Linda Boisvert of Bloodfinder of NH are a great example. Don and Linda have been promoting their product, Blue Star, which will detect blood. How many stories have you heard that start with" I know I had a good shot on him but I couldn't find any blood". This product will help hunters find that deer. Besides their wonderful company, Linda's cookies and treats are a welcome treat every afternoon at the shows. 
    Because Presque Isle is my hometown it's always great to see so  many people, mostly family,  that I don't get to see.  There are always those embarassing moments when someone says  hi and wow it's great to see you it's been a  long time......
    One of the hot topics of conversation was the devestation to the deer herd from this winter. The mortality rate is expected to be between 35 and 50 %. There were some feeding practices such as cutting cedar it was no where near enough. At this point there will be no any deer permits in the northern part of the state and there is hope that the department will implement restricitons on bucks as well.  The moose population has also taken a hit. I spoke to my cousin and he told me he'd spoken to someone who flies and he's seen several dead moose as well. One trip into a small deer yard in Mapleton found 7 dead deer, curled up and starved to death. This has been a common seen thru out the County. In our Zone, 17 the any deer permit numbers will be down by 2000 to just over 9000 total. It will certainly be a tough year and we can only hope that mother nature doesn't hit us with a cold wet spring, or poor crop conditions.