Visits to Patten-area camp yield trophies for Bretz 80-year-old German woman has bagged bull moose, black bear

Each year the sport of hunting gathers the interest of numerous outdoorsmen, however let’s not forget the sport also attracts a vast number of outdoorswomen. Heidi Bretz is a prime example.

For some 40 years, Bretz, a resident of Germany, has been toting a rifle, traveling across ridges and valleys in pursuit of a sport her husband introduced her to after the close of the World War II.

Although the bulk of her hunting is confined inside the borders of Germany, her love for the sport has carried her to six different countries, which involved three trips to Africa, where Bretz has taken a fair number of trophies, to add to her already broad collection of mounts on display in her living quarters back home.

Thirteen years ago, she made her first appearance to Camp Wapiti, which is located some 15 miles west of Patten, located on Davis Pond. It has become her favorite trip, said Bretz, who added this was her 13 consecutive season to the hunting camp, in pursuit of the Maine black bear.

During this time, she has bagged seven bears, one this year. About five years ago she was able to hunt for moose during one of her trips and it ended when she added a 910-pound bull moose to her inventory of trophies.

On Aug. 26, Bretz made the 16-foot climb up the tree-stand ladder, like she had done in years prior, with no assists, said Frank Ramelli, owner of the Camp Wapiti.

“She climbed the ladder like a 65-year-old,” Ramelli said of the 80-year-old Bretz.

Ramelli has been been guiding bear hunters for 17 years and said Bretz required no special attention. Ramelli recalled one particular hunt when he wasn’t able meet Bretz at her tree stand until after 11 p.m. due to other hunters with bears that needed attention. However this small endeavor never hindered her pursuit of the sport, and this season revealed it.

As the quiet moments of the afternoon were awakened by a bear moving in her direction, Bretz prepared to do what had almost become a routine event. While the cautious animal posed just for a moment, the seasoned hunter was on hand to seize it. Bretz downed the bear with a single crack from a Browning .308 and showed that she doesn’t plan on hanging up her rifle anytime soon.

“I’ll be there next year if possible,” she said.

West Grand’s salmon feisty

At West Grand Lake, fishing activity has been relatively light, except for the traffic from those old standby customers, said Kurt Cressey, owner of The Pine Tree Store in Grand Lake Stream.

Cressey said some cold weather is needed to bring those feisty salmon back to the surface. One angler recently reported catching salmon at 40 feet. However, it’s not just the fish that are down as the lake’s level is two feet below the normal level for this time of the season.

Rain is also on demand for Grand Lake Stream, which is holding a minimum flow, said Cressey. The salmon haven’t yet advanced back into the stream for the fall fishing, but rainfall could boost it along, and give a strong fall fishing to close to season. The surface water temperature in the stream is 70 degrees, while it is normally 65-68 degrees this time of year, according to Cressey.

Bear season is in full swing in the in the Grand Lake Stream area, and as of Tuesday Cressey had tagged five.

Big bass

Sunday Second Gardner Lake, located a few miles north of East Machias, has produced some feisty smallmouth bass, according to Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife fisheries biologist, Ron Brokaw. The majority of bass Brokaw and his son caught were 16-171/2 inches. However, the duo boated a 19-inch bass that tipped the scales at 3 pounds, 10 ounces.

Final report of the season

With the end of fishing season closing in, this will be my last Outdoor Report of the year. I’ve appreciated all the stories and information people shared to make it possible.

Outdoor calendar

The annual Ducks Unlimited Banquet is Sept. 20, 5:30 p.m., at the Bangor Conference Center on the Hogan Road. For tickets contact, Huck Wonson, 223-4221, Tom Duff, 989-2609, Ernie Boynton, 942-6246, Harold Gerow, 945-3545, or David Poll, 947-4616.

Answer to last week’s question

Northern pike feed less frequently when water temperatures rise above 60 degrees. True.

Terry Farren can be contacted at 990-8067 or by e-mail at outdoor report@bangordailynews