Jonathan Parker

Another great week at camp POSTCARD!

At Camp Postcard it’s not what the kids are doing, but who they’re doing it with The camp is staffed by retired and active law enforcement officers, who spend the week giving back to Maine kids.

I’ve had the pleasure as a Maine Game Warden to meet a lot of different people recreating in Maine’s Great Outdoors, even some celebrities.

Well yesterday was one for the books.

I had the pleasure to meet, 8yo, Laila.

Laila last season sat with her Dad and older sister on a bear hunt and this season she wanted to come back and hunt.

Laila’s Dad purchased a crossbow for her and her older sister in the off season and they’ve been practicing waiting for this very moment.

It was a beautiful evening, one that every hunter would wish for. It was a super calm evening with little to no breeze. The tree tops still like statues. It was so still they could almost hear each other’s hearts beating. It was almost too good to be true. The bear made its way slowly through the timber as the sun dipped below the trees.

This season the roles were now reversed, Dad by her side, in the stand as a spectator and coach. Laila’s Dad whispered to her as the bear made its way into range. “No!”, “Not yet!”, “Wait!” Laila waited patiently for the bear to stop and present a good shot, and just like she had practiced over the last several months. She slowly squeezed the trigger letting the bolt fly from her crossbow.

I listened to Laila and her Dad tell their story about her first Maine Black Bear. During the story telling I remembered Laila looking at her Dad and she told him,

“See Dad all that practicing paid off!”

Well, I don’t know who’s smile was bigger or who was more excited Laila’s Dad or Laila, but I’ll say this, it was an exciting moment and I’m thankful for a great job in the outdoors that affords me opportunities like these, to meet good people like Laila and her Dad, making memories together in the Maine Outdoors.

Congratulations Laila on a Beautiful Maine Black Bear.

I’m super excited about this opportunity! Donnie Orner and Joe Slye of 8Up Nation TV and JP Outdoors for putting this amazing opportunity together for not one youth but two eligible youths ages 10-15. Pete Herring and I have been working with youths and youth summer camps for 14+ years and now a remote tent experience and Black Bear hunt. How cool is this!!!
Maine Youth Fish & Game Association
will be auctioning off these two youth experiences, along with many other great items, at their annual auction on April 8, 2023 at the Old Town Elks #1287.
All the proceeds from the dinner and auction will help to fund their summer camp programs at Pickerel Pond.

We're developing an app! 📲

On the water and in the woods, it will be your gateway to the Maine outdoors.
🐻🌲🎣

You'll be able to manage permits and licenses right from your phone, and access new tools to enhance your hunting, fishing, and trapping experiences. What other features would you like to see? Trails? Wildlife info? Water access sites?
Take the survey ⬇️
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mdifwapp

The day might start out cold, or maybe on the wrong foot, or wrong attitude, but remember no matter how the day starts there’s always something beautiful about it!!! Hope you have an amazing day!!

Never a dull moment at Camp North Woods when Good Friend and Co-worker Pete Herring shows up!!! Thx Pete for taking a day outta your busy schedule to bring a lil fun to camp! Can’t wait for Camp North Woods 2023! Time to start planning the FUN!!! Seeyah next year!!! Enjoy the rest of your summer!