Outdoors

Published
September 25, 2011

Allen Afield: Ruffed grouse give hunter a shot at a delectable dinner

Ruffed grouse season starts Oct. 1 and runs through Dec. 31. The bird is Maine’s second favorite hunting quarry, according to Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife stats. About half of all licensed hunters target this bird — 75,000 to 100,000 depending on whom you ask. In fact, grouse hunting’s popularity in Maine far exceeds […]
Published
September 25, 2011

Hunting: Work before the hunt determines success

So much goes into a hunt — far more than merely pulling the trigger. The outsider may mistakenly view it as rather simplistic. One merely hefts a weapon, heads afield and upon encountering the quarry, launches a projectile, thereupon reducing the beast to possession. Those of us more familiar with the endeavor know it is […]
Published
September 25, 2011

What’s Up in OctoberSupernova and comet join meteors in celestial show

New England’s famous flaming foliage should be as spectacular as ever this fall, and just as the landscape on Earth is changing, so the celestial landscape is always changing in set patterns. The top of the Winter Hexagon, a star named Capella in the constellation Auriga, already rises by 9 p.m., and all of Orion […]
Published
September 25, 2011

John Christie: There’s peace in Friendship

The birthplace of the famous sloop has turmoil in its history, but now it's a prime midcoast spot for protected paddling.
Published
September 25, 2011

Mark Latti: Thriller for anglers: Sharks feasting off our coast

Anglers eagerly await autumn. Fish that seemed reluctant to feed during the heat of August once again find their appetites and feed throughout the day as the season progresses. For saltwater anglers, stripers and blues feed heavily before they begin their autumn migration. While anglers will frequent the shores looking to hook into one of […]

Published
September 25, 2011

Hiking: Try not to miss Great Pond Mountain Wildlands

There’s a green gate on the north side of Route 1/3 in East Orland, about halfway between Bucksport and Ellsworth. Next to it is a parking lot for a few cars, an information kiosk and a small white sign that reads, “Great Pond Mountain Wildlands.” Cruising along at 55 mph on this straightaway stretch of […]
Published
September 25, 2011

Outdoors Calendar

Tree identification and herbariums workshop, 1 to 3 p.m. today, Merryspring Nature Center, Camden. Learn about trees, plants and wildflowers. Free, family-friendly activities are designed for ages 5 to 12 but are open to all. All children must be accompanied by an adult. In case of rain, activities will be moved indoors. For more information, […]
Published
September 18, 2011

Hunting: April showers improve odds for fall fowlers

This spring’s heavy rains brought destruction throughout much of the Midwest. But, to employ a cliche, every cloud has a silver lining. While the rain was a bane to farmers on the plains, it was a boon to waterfowl, especially in Canada’s Prairie Pothole region. And according to this year’s annual spring waterfowl survey, optimal […]
Published
September 18, 2011

Biking: A good day to catch a biking star

Chances are good that if you plan to ride the Oct. 9 Dempsey Challenge, you’re already well into your training and getting jazzed for the big day. Chances are also good that, even if you’re a cyclist who’s not participating, you wouldn’t give up a chance to see Maine’s dreamiest celeb pedaling through Lewiston/Auburn, surrounded […]
Published
September 18, 2011

Birding: Aerial dance a good sign for starlings, but not for others

I have been watching some of the large flocks of European starlings wheeling through the air around dusk as they prepare to go to roost for the night. I’m sure you have seen this behavior too. The flocks (called murmurations) form in the fall after the breeding season and will persist until next spring. A […]

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