One of the
seminar speakers I was fortunate enough to hear speak at the 2013 Yankee
Sportsman’s Classic in Essex Junction back in January was Bob Howe. Bob is a Registered
Maine Master Guide with a lodge in Pleasant Ridge Plantation, Maine, who
started hunting and trapping at age 10. Bob spoke about hunting coyotes and
snowshoe hare, the latter with beagles from his pack of 27. Bob comes across as
a quintessential Maine Guide – tall, bearded, self-deprecating, dry sense of
humor, and exuding competence.

Bob has been
guiding professionally for almost 40 years. He said he goes to about 14
sportsmen and trade shows a year where he sells his snowshoes and snowshoe furniture
to raise funds for his Pine Grove Program (more about that below). Most of
Bob’s guiding business is generated by word of mouth. Bob guides about 250
times a year – hunting and fishing for just about all legal game in the State
of Maine.

In 1998, Bob
and his wife, Andrea, bought Pine Grove Lodge (http://www.pinegrovelodge.com/). The lodge is a four-season sporting camp with room
for up to 45 people. They offer guide service, cabin rentals, bed & breakfast
stays, and many activities.

Back when
Bob was just 18 he started taking military Veterans on fishing trips. He’d go
to the local VFW and offer older Veterans rides to the lake and fishing tackle to
use. Once Bob and Andrea bought their lodge, Bob began offering free sporting trips
to Veterans and members of the armed services he would meet at trade shows.
This was the beginning of the “Pine Grove Program.” After 9/11, they started
inviting first responders to 9/11 and other disasters to participate in the wilderness
adventures. The program has grown into a plan of action, with many helping
hands, fundraisers, and organized events for groups, as well as private trips
for the American hero and his or her family. Bob is a big believer in the
natural therapeutic benefits of the Maine outdoors. The mission of the Pine
Grove Program is to provide free outdoor experiences to Service members, Veterans,
Gold Star Families, and first responders to major man-made and natural
disasters. You don’t have to hunt or fish to enjoy the program. It provides an
opportunity for participants to enjoy the outdoors and relax and reconnect. If
you or someone you know could benefit from the program, you can obtain more
information at www.pinegroveprogram.com/.
The program is also wonderful at accommodating people with disabilities.

Bob and
Andrea are truly generous people. Bob loves the outdoors and it shows. He can
tell a good story, especially about hunting with his beagles. How could stories
about 27 beagles not be entertaining? Even without the generosity of running
the Pine Grove Program, it would be tough not like a guy who is so devoted to
his dogs.

If you are
interested in the Pine Grove Program, please give Bob and Andrea a call, they
are expecting you. If you’re simply a humble sportsman or woman, too old to enlist
in the military, but otherwise interested in some great hunting and fishing
opportunities, you can also give Bob and Andrea a call. I’m hoping to get up to
the Pine Grove Lodge next March for snowshoe hare and coyotes.

Upcoming Local
Events:

–Ruffed Grouse Society Banquet, March 9,
2013, for more information please contact Jay Pierce at 802-425-3329 or [email protected].

–Trout Unlimited Banquet, March 23,
2013, for more information please contact chapter president, Gary West at [email protected].

–Duck’s Unlimited Banquet, April 6,
2013, for more information please contact Art Bristol at 802-899-2460 or [email protected] or Christy
Incerpi at 802-598-6279 or [email protected].

Please visit
www.sportingafield.blogspot.com
for more news, musings, and interviews or to leave questions or comments.