And A Strong Cup of Coffee

A blog about hunting, fishing, trapping, foraging and taking on new adventures in the woods of Maine.

And A Strong Cup of Coffee

A blog about hunting, fishing, trapping, foraging and taking on new adventures in the woods of Maine.

Most Recent Article

Adventures in the Woods, Hunting in Maine, Maine Deer hunting, Maine Outdoors, Tree Stand Hunting, Whitetail Deer, Women Who Hunt

Two big bucks in one day

I listened to the ravens, crows and turkeys fight over the morning's gut pile. I was still giddy about my success as I climbed into the treestand, almost within sight of the Sky Condo.  Motion to my right caught my eye and I saw a deer feeding on acorns. I lifted my rifle and peered through the scope, hopeful that I could punch my doe tag. My heart raced as I saw the antlers. I was looking at a buck as big or bigger than the one I had shot hours earlier.  Two big bucks in one day! I calmed myself down and swapped my scope for my binoculars and paused. The buck I was now looking at was a large spikehorn. Where had that big buck gone? Where had this buck come from?  Adjusting the binoculars, I saw the smaller buck make a circle and lay down. Every few minutes, I could see his head and...

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Other Recent Articles

Hunting in MaineMaine Deer huntingMaine HuntersTree Stand HuntingWhitetail DeerWomen Who Hunt
The trick to hunting: always be learning

The trick to hunting: always be learning

I have hunted deer for more than half my life. Every season is different and I learn or observe new things all the time. It is how you get better and more proficient. This season, the lesson blew my mind and will stick with me for every hunting season to come. During the 2022 season, I shot a doe on opening morning of rifle season. Maine hunters’ ability to shoot both a buck and a doe has allowed me to be more strategic about how I hunt.  I can focus on shooting a doe to put meat in the...

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Adventures in the WoodsHunting in MaineMaine Deer huntingMaine OutdoorsTree Stand HuntingWhitetail DeerWomen Who Hunt
The end of my deer hunting goals

The end of my deer hunting goals

My phone showed 4am. There were photos from the cell cameras.  With one eye open, I started scrolling and saw one of the big bucks.  He had been in the same spot days earlier and had made a 5 hour loop.  I had 3 hours to get in my stand. I took two steps away from the truck and the world erupted around me.  The only thing louder than the crunching of deer running, was the beating of my heart. Several deep breaths later, I started back on the trail to the stand.  A few more steps and another...

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Adventures in the WoodsHunting in MaineMaine Deer huntingWhitetail DeerWomen Who Hunt
New hunter shoots dream buck

New hunter shoots dream buck

I skim the hunting Facebook groups for photos of amazing deer during hunting season. My favorite are those of successful female hunters.  I love the photos of incredible deer that are what (almost) every hunter’s dreams of taking.  This past season, I found a female hunter with an incredible buck and a fantastic name! Erin McGraw grew up fishing and did not start deer hunting until just a few years ago.  She shot her first deer, a spikehorn in 2019 but took a year off  due to the birth of a...

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Adventures in the WoodsEating Wild GameHunting in MaineMaine Deer huntingMaine HuntersWhitetail Deer
The thrill of your first deer

The thrill of your first deer

Growing up in Millinocket, my friend Matt was surrounded by family members who were passionate hunters. He developed a deep love of the outdoors and exploring the woods and waters of Maine. But, like many kids, he became involved with school-related activities and the time he had for hunting and fishing dwindled. At 20, Matt put all of his time and energy into building his business.  His entrepreneurial drive left little time for activities like hunting. When COVID hit, his thriving...

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Hunting in MaineMaine Deer huntingMaine HuntersMaine OutdoorsTrail Camera ViewsWildlife Conservation
Checking trail cameras
Should trail cameras be illegal?

Should trail cameras be illegal?

Seven trail cameras with my name on them are strategically placed on our property. Most I keep out year round to track which animals are moving through.  Once deer hunting season gets closer, Dad puts his cameras up and we have a pretty good idea of which animals are around and who thinks they can trespass on our land and not get caught. But in recent months, more states have banned the use of trail cameras questioning their use and wondering if trail cameras should be illegal? The cameras...

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ConservationHunting in MaineHunting Tips and TricksMaine MooseMaine OutdoorsWildlife Conservation
What you want to know but are afraid to ask your guide

What you want to know but are afraid to ask your guide

When I was drawn for my moose permit, I hired a guide to help. My friend John Floyd is a Registered Maine Guide and the owner of Tucker Ridge Outdoors in Webster Plantation, Maine. After talking about what I wish I had known and what he wished his clients knew, we decided to publishour conversation. Here we discuss thoughts, questions and concerns about hiring a guide. EM: A moose hunt can be an expensive hunt. There are a lot of things that can factor into the week you spend in the woods. ...

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Why The Name?

Because everything is better with a strong cup of coffee – especially going out on a hunt.


If you’ve ever gotten up at 3am to head out in the turkey woods or sat in a tree stand deer hunting in Maine when it’s 4 degrees outside then that strong cup of coffee can be a critical piece of the hunt.

We hope you enjoy And a Strong Cup of Coffee at whatever hour you have time to read, and we hope the coffee is strong. 

Author Erin Merrill

Meet The Author

Erin started deer hunting with her Dad when she was 20 and soon found herself spending as much time as she could in the woods and fields hunting deer, bear, and turkey. 

Erin is a registered Hunters Safety Instructor with Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife and has given lectures and been interviewed a number of times on the challenges and opportunities for women in the outdoors. 

In addition to And A Strong Cup of Coffee, Erin is also currently a writing contributor for Northwoods Sporting Journal and a senior writer for Drury Outdoors’ DeerCast. Her work has also been featured in Downeast Magazine

In an effort to get more women and girls outside, Erin co-founded and is the president of Women of the Maine Outdoors

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