OMM Outfitters — Attraction in Eagle Lake

This is the second time me and my father hunted with OMM for the opening week of bear season. The first trip was simply outstanding, so we knew what to expect for the second trip. An overall first class operation with a beautiful camp, great staff, and very productive hunting.

There was a special purpose behind booking this second trip. My father, who just turned 80 expressed to me that he was going to stop hunting. I convinced him to do one last, special trip. I booked kind of late with Nathan, but when he heard the reason for the trip he went well out of his way to squeeze us in. Most likely putting extra stress on himself, his guides, and Gloria (the camp chef).

We knew the trip and hunting would be fantastic. But it was still a little bittersweet driving to the OMM camp knowing this would be my final hunt with my father. But I was going to make the best of it and create some great memories. I tagged out early on Day 1 with a nice bear. My dad (using a .44 pistol) put a shot on a bear that connected a little far back. Nathan analyzed my dad's story and made the call to back out and track the next morning.

That night my dad was pretty upset with himself. Ready to pack up his stuff and leave. Not really because of the shot, but because he was down on himself cause he was losing confidence in his physical abilities. As the night went on he also convinced himself that he wounded the bear and it wouldn't be found.

Early the next morning, Nathan knocked on our cabin door. He was so upbeat, enthusiastic, and extremely confident they would find the bear. So away they went....... They returned about an hour later with the bear, and my father was a completely transformed person. Nathan's care, enthusiasm, tracking ability, and good nature just simply infected my father and reinvigorated his love for hunting. Despite any physical difficulties he experiences.

Even though we tagged out on Day 1, we stayed in camp until Day 5. We shot our bows in the 3D range, shot our pistols, drove the logging roads to spot moose, and drove to a few of the nearby towns. We also took a day to cross the border into Canada. We visited the casino in Edmunston. It was the entire trip that reinvigorated my dad. The hunt, meeting other great people camp, the fantastic meals, and tireless effort of the guides, and all the extra things the camp and surrounding area had to offer. My dad is now hoping to draw a moose permit for Maine, and looking to book another bear hunt.

Thanks to OMM, I get a little more time with my dad doing something we both love. I took the time to share this story because I wanted to show how OMM really does embrace that there is more to a hunt than just getting in the woods and hopefully harvesting an animal. I cannot thank everyone at OMM enough for what they've done. I'll be back with OMM for many more bear hunts. I keep entering the moose draw every year, hoping to get a chance to hunt moose with OMM. I will definitely get up there to deer hunt as well.

A side note: Nathan recommended that we upgrade our hunt with "waterway access." After doing that this trip, there is no other way I would hunt. It was such a great experience. It was so cool to ride the lake to a bear site, and then ride back with the bear in the boat. It was definitely a quicker ride to our stands when compared to riding in a truck to your spot. But also, was physically better and easier for my dad. I'd strongly consider adding this...

OMM Outfitters……my 2020 season 2, zone 2, bull moose hunt can be best summed up by what the Maine DNR biologist told me when I was checking in my 49 inch bull and he saw my OMM Outfitters hat……He stated, “ you are with one of the best outfitters in the state!!”

The Maine DNR biologist confirmed what I had been thinking. I will summarize my experience:

Prior to the hunt Nathan and Alan were always available to answer my questions and provide any insight requested Prior to the hunt written communication was excellent and my guide called me ahead of the hunt to introduce himself and we discussed what my expectations were for the hunt. The guide was also available to meet with me several days prior to the hunt so we could get to know each other better and he could also understand my expectations. My guide was Ben. I cannot say enough about Ben’s experience, knowledge, pre-hunt scouting, professionalism, enthusiasm, and he is an all-around great person to get to know. His helper Mike, had a vast amount of knowledge, was professional, enthusiastic, and was a great person to support my hunt. The first night lobster bake and all subsequent meals were very good. The first morning of the hunt, Ben put me on a heard of 11 moose with 4 shooter bulls in the group. Since we got busted by some cows the first morning, Ben provided a life size cow decoy that we walked behind for about ½ mile. This time there was a group of 7 moose with 2 shooter bulls. The moose group remained calm as we approached and the 2 shooter bulls started coming down the hill to check out the new lady on the two track. This allowed for a nice 125-yard shot. After the shot, OMM’s charter is to prep and stage a photo shoot to preserve the integrity of the animal and provide the client with the best possible in-field pictures. The pictures that Ben took will last me a life time. This was a GREAT touch!! Field butchering the moose. Other OMM personnel in the area came on-site to support and pack the animal out. I was extremely impressed with the caliber of the in-field butchering by keeping the meat clean and hair free and trimming all meat possible. When Ben started to trim the meat between the rib bones, I thought to myself, this OMM group really cares about getting the job done RIGHT!! OMM has a local butcher shop that provides priority to OMM clientele. My bull was shot at 7:00 in the morning and by 7:00pm the bull was completely butchered, vacuum packed, and in a freezer container. This is fantastic service!! A couple of mornings after the hunt, my guide Ben, took me back out to the clear cut where I shot my bull so I could take sunrise pictures, glass more moose, and take a couple hours to soak in the beauty of the Maine woods.

I would highly recommend Nathan and his OMM Outfitter service. I will be back for a black bear hunt, and if lightning strikes twice, and I draw another moose tag, I will be back at OMM.

Steve S Palm Harbor,...

All, I have to say that to everyone that reads this, the experience that both Mike and I had was that of once in a lifetime, it was absolutely tremendous in every regard. The information that was passed along to us was incredibly accurate and useful and the equipment that we were told to bring and use was some of the best I have ever worn in a field environment. The people that manage and are employed by both OMM Outfitters and KUIU were incredibly helpful and extremely professional, highlighted by Nathan, Alan and Justin. The staff at Eagle Lake was superb, highlighted by Gloria....she kept us all well fed, kept hot coffee in us and ensured we all were gentlemen whenever we were in the dining hall.....she is fabulous in every regard. I would be remiss if I did not mention the Guides, specifically Rob Fickett. Besides being a mountain of man, the knowledge of his craft was stunning, he is an absolute subject matter expert. His field craft is top notch, he had to continually remind an Old Ranger to keep his voice down and to not slam the door to the vehicle......I eventually reached the standard. Seriously though, he is an expert, he lead us well, taught us more about moose hunting than I ever could imagine and he can certainly walk, it was an absolute pleasure to be around someone that is very committed and passionate to being the best at his assigned duties. What is really important is that a Gold Star Family Member was provided the opportunity to honor a Brother that was Killed In Action and that it came to fruition with a very large moose being brought down. I personally thank each and every one of you for that, I am pretty sure it means a lot to the entire family as well. Lastly, I want to thank everyone that made this happen a personal thank you from myself. I was provided the opportunity to meet a pretty incredible young man, shared a lot of talk and field time with each other and I take the blame for keeping him up late at night discussing our profession. I certainly hope that I get the opportunity to do this again, I am always available for that duty and to support in any manner the Regiment that I love.

V/R,

Jimmy

James J....