Outdoors

Published
October 23, 2011

Allen Afield: In Maine, deer hunters take what they can get

Maine’s regular firearms season for deer kicks off on Saturday, and as this long-awaited day nears, many hunters psyche themselves up by reading articles or watching television shows about the sport. When this state’s deer hunters with firearms read a typical how-to or where-to article in a national magazine or particularly watch a hunting show, […]
Published
October 23, 2011

Hiking: On Maine Beer Trail, favorite pastimes collide

There are a lot of different types of trails around Maine for the pursuit of various recreational pleasures. I’m partial to the many miles of hiking trails myself, of course, as well as another rather unique trail that has only recently achieved official status. The Maine Beer Trail extends generally from Eliot in southwestern Maine […]
Published
October 23, 2011

Hunting: Rituals mark opening day of deer season

The wait is almost over. Saturday marks the start of another Maine deer season, at least for residents. Sure, the expanded and special archery seasons have been open for a while, but it is the regular firearms season that reigns supreme. The week prior is spent preparing: rubbing a fresh coat of mink oil on […]
Published
October 23, 2011

Mark Latti: This year, woodcocks hunters awarded an extra 15 days

For many, upland bird hunting in Maine is a two-tiered treat. One of the joys of October is to walk through the woods and have an opportunity to hunt both grouse and woodcock. In past years, however, those who loved to hunt woodcock always saw their season come to a close by the end of […]
Published
October 23, 2011

Rock climbing: Up, up and away

In Maine, opportunities abound both for expert climbers and those who are eager to learn.

Published
October 16, 2011

Outdoors Calendar

Autumn Exploration Camp, 9 a.m. to noon today, Merryspring Nature Center, Camden. Nature discovery activities for children ages 6 to 12. $25 for members; $30 for non-members. Register by Wednesday. FMI: Call 236-2239 or visit www.merryspring.org Mushroom walk, 10 a.m. Saturday, at Macdonald Woods on Kents Hill Road in North Wayne. Bring a basket with […]
Published
October 16, 2011

Deirdre Fleming: Moose-gut studies help determine population’s health

This fall, Maine wildlife biologists want the guts. For the second year, state biologists will be collecting cow moose gut piles — as many as they can get from the 750 hunters who have cow-only permits in northern Maine. The study is a new effort to determine the health of Maine’s moose population. And if […]
Published
October 16, 2011

Biking: Two rides that are sure to thrill, even if the colors don’t

Bikers, hikers, tourists and nature lovers anxiously await the middle days of October, when their outdoor adventures are highlighted by the colors produced by the trees of Maine and New England. Unfortunately, this foliage season hasn’t been worth the wait. Weather patterns that have fluctuated between rain and record October heat, not to mention the […]
Published
October 16, 2011

Hunting: For a chance to hunt moose, head north

Strolling along on a crisp, clear September afternoon, we paused on a rocky outcrop. I slowly took in the scene while my guide bawled out a nasal moan through a sawed-off traffic cone. I knew where I was and why, but it didn’t really sink in until I heard the first bull grunt. At long […]
Published
October 16, 2011

Allen Afield: In Maine, red maple trees don’t get any respect

Red maple reminds me of the famous comedian Rodney Dangerfield. His big break came on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in 1960, when he started a routine about getting no respect and continued this line for around a half-century. This maple species gets no respect either, so otherwise astute outdoors wanderers may overlook this tree’s importance. […]

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