THE STORY OF KEYLESS PETE
“KEYLESS PETE” GOT HIS NICKNAME DURING THE HUNTING SEASON OF 2001 AT THE RANGELEY LODGE. PETER L. ARRIVED LATE ONE NIGHT AFTER A LONG DRIVE FROM RI (MAYBE THIS IS HIS EXCUSE FOR WHAT HAPPENED). WE HEADED OUT TO HUNT THE NEXT DAY AT 4:30 AM, OUR DESTINATION METALLIC MOUNTAIN. ALL OF US WENT OUR SEPARATE WAYS TILL DAYS END. PETE WAS AWFULLY QUIET AT HAPPY HOUR TILL HE FINALLY SPOKE UP AND SAID, “GUYS, I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU, BUT PLEASE DON’T TELL ANYONE ELSE.“ (NEVER SAY THESE WORDS TO A NOMAD.)” I SPENT THE WHOLE DAY IN THE WOODS WITH THE KEY LOCK ATTACHED TO MY GUN BECAUSE I LEFT THE KEY BACK AT THE CAMP.” HE KNEW IT WAS AN HOUR’S RIDE TO THE CAMP AND DIDN’T WANT TO WASTE ANY OF OUR HUNTING TIME BECAUSE OF HIS BLUNDER. WE WERE PLEASED WITH HIS THOUGHTFULNESS, BUT RANKED ON HIM ABOUT THE OBVIOUS SOLUTION, EITHER BREAK THE LOCK OR BORROW THE EXTRA GUN WE HAD IN THE TRUCK.

The first Rifle hunt, we have Keyless Pete, we have Full Reach Paul, Super Guide Steve, and who could forget Backpackless Jack. So far Steve and Chief Nomad have been the only two to bag a deer. Both were obtained right out of the gate. Obviously, Chief Nomad’s was much bigger. Even though Super Guide says his deer was 152, the registration cabin has his deer weighing in at 142. Chief Nomad’s deer was a robust 150. Super Guide’s deer was a 4 pointer and the chief’s was a three pointer. Mysteriously overnight, Chief Nomad’s deer became a 10 pointer…it can’t be explained, but the pictures prove it. All in all a very happy and full trip.

It was July 1st and Chief Nomad, Bob, Tom and I were at the NASCAR race this year having a grand old time.  Talking to Chris and GeGe about NHIS and they said that this year was the last year that Bob BEAR was going to own the race track and they were correct.  He sold the track and the July race will possibly be the only race left for NHIS.  The racing has not been the same ever since the COT cars have been introduced but hopefully they will get better.  Racing is coming to an end but SNOWMOBILING is around the corner.
 -Submitted by POOT

Chief Nomad would like to tell the story of Nomad “Where am I Flipper”. Last year is when his name ‘Flipper’ was obtained. In the Northern woods of Maine, Flipper found what he thought was a meadow…a peaceful place full of flowers and birds. He decided to walk across it and unbenounced to him, the water was up to his elbows. Hence, the name Flipper (after everyone’s favorite dolphin friend). Here is the story of how he got the rest of his name.  This year Flipper wandered into the woods with his new electronics, gear and new gun and he just ran around like a porpoise out of water not knowing where he was or how to get out. Chief Nomad, with his new Rhino GPS, was able to watch him wandering around through the woods not knowing, or caring of his direction. Finally after several attempts to direct him out of the woods he was able to find the trail. Surprise, surprise when he reached the trail, he went the wrong way...again! Chief Nomad saw the little dot on his screen moving away from him, so he called Flipper once more to redirect him on the trail. Thankfully, he turned around and went the right way. By the time we got him out of the woods, it was a little dark but we think Nomad “Where am I Flipper” has learned his lesson…two years in a row!  The one lesson all Nomads should learn is if you make a mistake, no matter how small, DO NOT let Chief Nomad know. In other words, never say “Don’t tell anyone”, because that is not going to happen.