While the number of Maine anglers has increased in recent years, the number of hunters continues to decline. Let’s start with hunters. I looked at data from 2001 to 2017. Hunting numbers for residents was highest in 2003, at 166,675. Read More
A holiday tradition for many bird enthusiasts, the Audubon Christmas Bird Count is the nation’s longest-running community science bird project. Read More
Hennessey's work captured both the beauty and ruggedness of Maine's outdoors, whether he was depicting Mainers gone afield in search of their quarry or the state's iconic moose and puffins at home among the marshes or the ragged coast. Read More
How many times have you stood beside someone on the water and out fished them using the same fly. You both are doing the same thing, like a mirror image of one another but one person is catching all the fish and the other isn’t even getting a… Read More
I’ve written four books that I hope might make your Christmas wish list, and/or be gifts you purchase for others. My first book, A Life Lived Outdoors, published by IslandPort Press, is a collection of favorite columns about home, camp, and Maine life, including stories about… Read More
If you’re interested in hiking this winter, I’d love to give you some trail suggestions and gear tips. At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 18, I’ll be giving a presentation about winter treks at the Orono Public Library, 39 Pine Street in Orono. I’ll be focusing on the Bangor… Read More
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. There are just over 2 miles of trails on the preserve. These trails are especially rocky in some areas. The trail markers are faded and may be difficult to find in some places. How to get there: From Orrington center (the intersection… Read More
My “1-minute hike” video series isn’t exactly polished or formal, but I do edit quite a bit of content out that I deem to be too silly or distracting. For example, I trip over my words — a lot — and I struggle keeping my dog, Oreo, from… Read More
Outdoors Blogs
DIF&W used to work with the outdoor industry, including guides and sporting camps, to market hunting and fishing in our state. But they don’t do that today. Bill Pierce worked hard at that, but when he left DIFW, they abolished his job. Read More
In a short period of time the Native Fisheries Coalition has accomplished a great deal, certainly enough to be worthy of your support and participation. Just a year after gaining it’s 501c3 status, the Coalition has become an important voice for our… Read More
BELFAST — A cold, November rain failed to dampen the spirits of students from the Outdoor Leadership program at Waldo County Technical Center when they invited their Tech Center classmates and teachers to walk the newly constructed trail in the woods alongside WCTCI. These students have… Read More
BAR HARBOR — Beginning on Nov. 1, information and orientation to Acadia National Park will be available at the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center during the winter and spring season. Visitors will be able to talk with park rangers about Acadia National Park and… Read More
NEWRY — Come together for a wintertime frolic with Acadia Mountain Guides & MYA. We’ll spend the weekend opting outside for ice climbing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing with sweet accommodations at Mahoosuc Mountain Lodge. The adventure will begin at the traditional New England timberframe lodge in… Read More
LINCOLN, New Hampshire — MYA is headed to the beautiful White Mountains region of New Hampshire for a wicked fun packed weekend adventure including winter ziplining, nighttime ice castle exploring, downhill skiing (cross country if you prefer), and more Friday eve will get settled into our… Read More
New trails are being constructed in the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument as a part of a $120,000 project to improve visitor access to scenic ponds and other natural highlights on the conserved property. Read More
Today, the general law statewide — that is, the rules that govern a basic water with no special protection needed — allows for live fish as bait. Read More
Early snowfall and cold temperatures have set the stage for an influx of snowmobilers heading out onto Maine’s 14,500 miles of trails, but the Maine Snowmobile Association urges riders to respect the generosity of landowners while doing so. Read More
There is a great black hawk in Portland that has become quite famous — but only he knows if he left Mexico because our squirrels taste better. Read More
It was just before sundown on Dec. 6 when hunter Greg Strand heard a commotion nearby in the trees. Strand, who was out in the Windham woods, ducked out of sight to see what was moving among the trees. Read More
traditional wooden snowshoes have been valued for thousands of years. Here’s to a few thousand more. Read More
Even minor injuries that happen in the middle of nowhere can turn into major issues if not dealt with properly at the time. Read More
Maine’s deer hunters packed a lot of venison in their freezers this year, as the deer harvest reached its highest level since 2002. Read More
Around these parts, it’s not uncommon for wild animals to show up, even in the middle of the state’s third-largest city. Read More
The board that controls land preservation grants in Maine is asking for proposals that would help protect working waterfront areas of the state. Read More
Neighbors along Highland Lake in North Windham say a deer was spotted on thin ice Sunday morning and was stranded for several hours. Read More
Every year there are new and old products that Stac and I think would make holiday gifts for the fly fisher in your life. Here are some ideas for men and woman. Some I’m bias about because I am on their pro staff and others are just products… Read More
The gray squirrel season ends on December 31. So you better hurry up if you want to rid your yard of these pesky animals. You need to know that a small game hunting license is required to kill gray squirrels, and the daily bag limit is… Read More
For years, Maine has been governed by a custom, if not a specific law, that allows hunters and other recreationists to use land that they don’t own, so long as that land is not posted, or so long as the landowner does not otherwise prohibit the practice. Read More
That change would further protect wild trout waters, including tributaries and outlets to heritage ponds in northern Maine. Read More
Camp experiences offer participants the chance to develop new skills, foster relationships, and grow confidence and independence. Campers living with physical, emotional, or intellectual challenges stand to gain those same benefits from camp. And while some Maine camps are not equipped to serve campers who face such challenges,… Read More
There are two schools of thought about hunting with bells on bird dogs: You either use them or you don’t. Those who use them are always looking for better ones. And those who don’t often will use the more modern electronic beepers instead. Read More
The weather outside is getting a bit more frightful — heck, here in Bangor we just completed the coldest November on record — but it still may be a challenge to find safe ice on local lakes and ponds. Read More
I like the priorities of the Maine Conservation Alliance: clean water, energy independence, land and wildlife for all to enjoy, and healthy local food. You can guess which goal I like the best. MCA, headquartered in Augusta, has an exceptional staff and will be lobbying Governor… Read More
It hasn't been linked to human diseases in the United States, but it's been known to spread a potentially deadly virus to humans in Asia. Read More
