Outdoors

Published
April 27, 2013

Allen Afield: Throw the book at the backwoods philosophers

Transcendentalism is alive and well, as many old Mainers have indicated when they tell me no one can learn from a book. These backwoods philosophers expostulate that experience teaches — not words on a page or screen — as if they have a corner on truth. Bull pucky. Books have taught me plenty about nature, […]
Published
April 27, 2013

Hunting: Science alone must regulate turkey hunt

Gun bills weren’t the only thing flooding Augusta this spring. There was also a pile of proposed legislation dealing with turkey hunting. Here are a few examples. If enacted, L.D. 84 would purportedly “expand” turkey hunting opportunities in three ways. Eliminating the required $20 permit and big-game hunting license, it is assumed, would encourage greater […]
Published
April 27, 2013

Best Bets

UPCOMING Dog Days 1 p.m. April 28, in Jefferson Dogs and dog owners are gathering at Hidden Valley Nature Center on April 28 for a dogs-in-the-park day. Meet at the gate and join the group. All well-behaved dogs that enjoy dog play are welcome. Owners will get to enjoy some of the 25 miles of […]
Published
April 21, 2013

Allen Afield: Bicyclists, get real – your season has finally arrived

Serious, regular exercising adds to our quality of life, and for me a bicycling health regimen has everything to recommend it as an aerobic, calorie-burning activity and just plain undeniable joy. What more can we ask than fun while doing something good for us? In winter and very early spring, I fool with an aluminum-framed […]
Published
April 21, 2013

Skiing in Maine: It’s best to keep a balance between ‘sport’ and ‘business’

Now that the 2012-13 ski season is more or less in our collective rear view mirror (though I hope to get a few more days in), it’s a good time to reflect a bit on the ski business. The end of April isn’t just an opportunity to look at the season we just had, it’s […]

Published
April 21, 2013

North Cairn: No shaking real signs of spring

Over the long weekend, before the neighborhoods filled up with students on break from school, the dominant sounds and movements were what we mostly think of as silence and stillness: nature breaking out of winter and hurrying into spring. I noticed it right away when I arrived at the little cottage I rent on a […]
Published
April 21, 2013

Snowmobiling: Quite a ride for snowmobilers through a season to their liking

Maybe because the snowmobile season of 2011-12 was so warm, dry and snowless, an average Maine winter like the one we just had seemed like a gift. Riding began in late December and didn’t finish until late March. Snowmobilers and businesses that depend on them were aided by a healthy snowfall and busy season. “This […]
Published
April 21, 2013

Best Bets

SUNDAY Orienteering Challenge 1 to 2:30 p.m., Boothbay Harbor Meet at the Boothbay Region Land Trust’s Penny Lake Preserve. Bring a compass or borrow one. Land trust officers will help with a quick lesson in how to follow coordinates through the preserve where you’ll be collecting pieces of a poem along the way. Return to […]
Published
April 21, 2013

Deirdre Fleming: Cultural and natural diversity surely worth a celebration

Who needs a reason to have a parade? In dance instructor Marita Kennedy-Castro’s mind, the warmth of spring and the green grass are reason enough. But there are other good reasons. The need to bring together people of different cultures and celebrate not only each other, but all things in nature is the emphasis of […]
Published
April 21, 2013

Inland Fishing Report

While it’s been too cold for many fishermen, it’s also been too cold for many fish, which means they’re not biting yet in most waters across the state. But there is good news about big brown trout and biting brookies coming in to our fishing report. And you’ll want to hook into some of these […]

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Outdoors