For most of the year, the moose just sort of grunts and is pretty quiet. When mating season comes around (September - October), they have a very eerie call. This is especially true if you are sleeping in a tent and hear this sound in the dead of the night.

While camping a few years back at Round Pound (T7 R14 WELS), we pitched a tent at the wilderness campsite at the end of the lake. There are lots of Round Ponds in Maine—this one is just south of Allagash Lake. Wilderness up there means just that. No campground attendants, no lights, no traffic—just us camping in the middle of the woods. During the night, we had moose walking within 25 feet of our tent. We also heard the eerie sound of a moose looking for a mate. Needless, to say it was difficult to sleep that night.

This is the sound that a moose makes. It is not a pretty sound! This sound can be heard for miles. Click HERE to hear what it sounds like and then just imagine being in a tent in the middle of the night and hearing this strange noise. A night like this is not for the faint of heart but this is one of the greatest memories of camping that I have.

Nicatous Lake is one of my most favorite places in Maine. It is located approximately 65 miles northeast of Bangor. The fact that we own a camp on the lake makes it even more special.

Nicatous Lake is a long, narrow lake at the head of Nicatous Stream, tributary to the Passadumkeag River. It is approximately ten miles long, containing 5,165 acres. It is widely considered to be one of Maine’s most beautiful water bodies with its pristine sand beaches, intricate coves and 98 islands. By purchasing an easement on the Robbins paper company land and additional acreage owned by International Paper, the state of Maine helped to foster sustainable forest management while extinguishing all development rights on the purchased land, protecting shoreline buffers, conserving wildlife habitat and opportunities for traditional recreation. In addition to the easement, the state acquired 76 of the 98 islands in Nicatous Lake. The lake is one of the top five loon-nesting lakes in Maine, and has three bald eagle nesting sites. There are six deer-wintering areas in the area and ample range for species such as bobcat and black bear. There is excellent bass and perch fishing in the lake and many trout ponds with a short distance. I am told that nearby West Lake supports trophy-sized land-locked salmon.

There are many campgrounds in the area and two lodges on the lake. Most campgrounds are remote and require boat or canoe access.

Oh yeah, did I mention the ATV trails that run near the lake?? There are hundreds of approved trails (usually woods roads) that are closeby.

This area is truly one of Maine’s nicest places to visit.

Staycation is a new buzzword taken from the words, stay and vacation. It means taking a vacation at home or somewhere close to home.  With the tight economy and gasoline over four dollars a gallon, folks are finding creative ways to spend their summer vacation.  Living in Maine, we have MANY opportunities for interesting and fun “staycations”.  

No matter where you live in the state, there is most likely a park or attraction nearby. Most of us have pleasant backyards where we can enjoy  our time off.  Just think, no packing or kids asking “are we there yet?”. Now is a great time to enjoy our local area and find out why folks from away have been taking their vacations here for years.  Maine is truly a vacationland and lucky us…we don’t have to travel to get here!

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Instead of trying to outrun predators, moose make themselves scarce — at least as scarce as a seven-foot-tall, 800 to 1200 pound animal can make itself.

We came upon this guy “hiding” while we were on our way to our camp one summer day.