Snow here last week! Only an inch or so and it was gone as soon as the sun came out. Still a pretty contrast with the colored leaves. This sure has been a beautiful fall for the eyes. I fished on Megunticook Lake in Camden with some folks from Louisiana who had never seen fall foliage and they raved about the scenery at every turn. Reminding me again how fortunate I am.
While it has been a pretty fall it has been cooler than normal. Snow here on the coast and temperatures in the low twenties and teens when I left Libby Camps. Time to get the firewood in!
We are in the middle of the very best time of year, make every effort to get out and enjoy the Maine Outdoors.
New Position!
Many of you wonder what I do on the off season. Here is the press release announcing what I will be up to this winter. I plan to continue guiding but will have a few other responsibilities.
Don Kleiner has taken the role of Executive Director for the Maine Professional Guides Association. Association President Jeff Bellmore said "The Board of Directors is pleased to have Don on board and looking forward to working with him to move the Association forward." Founded in 1979 the Association is the oldest and largest organization of guides in the state of Maine. The Association is composed of Registered Maine Guides who strive to enhance the standards of the guiding industry. They are professional guides dedicated to promoting a quality, ethical and legal outdoor experience for all.
The Association is continually monitoring new and proposed legislation that affect the guiding industry, the fisheries, wildlife and the natural resources of the state, and other areas that have potential impact on the profession. The Association and its members strive to maintain credentials and qualifications that exceed the requirements of the law.
A guide since 1984, Don Kleiner has long history of working for conservation and the outdoor recreation industry. Don has worked for the Maine department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife as Director of Information and Education, the Ruffed Grouse Society as their New England Regional Director and recently as lobbyist for the Maine Bowhunters Association and the Maine Chapter of the National Wild turkey Federation. Don volunteered as a Board member of the Maine Conservation School, and currently is the Board Chair of the Maine Tourism Association. Don is a former officer of the Maine Professional Guides Association; serving as both secretary and president before becoming the Association's legislative liaison in the 1990's.
Kleiner operates a guide service in Union, Maine Outdoors that offers a variety of fishing, recreational and hunting services. Kleiner continue to work as a guide in addition to serving as the Executive Director.
Fall always goes to the dogs.
Fall and specifically October is the season I work with the dogs. They enjoy the work and even when tired are eager to get back into their boxes and head out each morning. When we are at Libby Camps they spend the night in the boxes as well. But for them the best part is working every day.
Each dog has a very different personality and style. (pictures here) Two are English Pointers that find and point birds but even between the two of them there are differences. Mae is the old pro, she runs as far out as I will let her but regularly check back to be sure that I am around. Mae is pretty bold and very fast; if she wanted to get away she would be in the next county before you knew she was gone. She is an excellent grouse and woodcock dog and really all I need to do is walk along with my clients and wait for her beeper collar to beep telling us that she has found a bird. Copper my other pointer is close working and much more deliberate. She wants to please and at times is almost to close working but it is a pleasure to almost always see the dog and watch her work. She is young and still learning the grouse and woodcock game but getting better every day. This season has been great fun with her as all of the pieces of her job are coming together nicely. She has a great nose and I am still getting used to a bird being pretty far away when she stops on point.
Woody is the Golden retriever that almost everyone loves (and being a Golden he loves them). As with almost every golden I have ever owned he wants to please and will do whatever it takes to make you happy. The only flushing dog, the best at finding a down bird and of course the best retriever.
As the season tapers and I am working on other things all three sit in their kennel's and look longingly at their boxes in the Yukon wishing for another day of work. I plan to spend some time out with them until the snow flies.
Newsletter sent monthly until spring!
From now until early spring the Maine Outdoors newsletter will come to you once a month. I still post blog updates twice a week and daily updates are available on
Facebook (Don Kleiner) or become a fan of Maine Outdoors there as well. I am also on Linkedin and Twitter (DonKleiner) I am available to chat on AIM when I am at my desk, more time there as the slower season starts.
You can also visit the Maine Outdoors web site and submit a contact form. Of course I still use e-mail and the telephone still rings in the office if you would like to plan your next trip or just say hello.
