Outdoors

Published
April 4, 2010

Birding: Home again for the eastern phoebe

Fee’-bee! Fee’-bee! You are probably hearing this buzzy song of the eastern phoebe in your neighborhood now. These flycatchers spend the winter in the southeastern United States and return to our area to breed. It’s good to have them back. Unlike most flycatchers that have a single, stereotyped song, eastern phoebe males sing a second […]
Published
April 4, 2010

Best of Show: Maine winner joins national exhibition

A painting by 18-year-old Matthew Maiello of Kittery Point won Best of Show on March 23 in the Maine competition of the 2010 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest. Maiello’s watercolor of a Harlequin Duck was chosen from among 645 entries received from 15 schools and groups throughout Maine. It has been sent to Washington, […]
Published
April 4, 2010

Allen Afield: Jury’s out on fishing year-round in Maine

When I was in grammar school, Maine’s statewide open-water fishing season opened on April 15, except in Aroostook County where it started even later. In fact, prior to the last half of the 20th century, state officials across most of the Northeast had chosen April 15 as the fishing opener, in part because of the […]
Published
April 4, 2010

Hiking: Cohos Trail system undergoes rebirth

Three and a half years ago the Cohos Trail, the third longest hiking trail in New England, nearly went defunct. In a notice to supporters, founder Kim Nilsen announced that the Cohos Trail Association would be disbanded and the 162-mile trail system, spanning the length of Coos County in New Hampshire, would be closed. I […]
Published
April 4, 2010

Fishing Report: Despite an early start, it’s not too early to fish

Fishermen last week took advantage of the early start to the season, proclaimed by Gov. John Baldacci to open March 25. Water levels are still high from rain, but the fish are biting. State biologists confirm fish being caught from Sebago Lake to the western mountains. REGION A: SOUTHERN MAINE Biologist Francis Brautigam said anglers […]
Published
April 4, 2010

Ask an Outdoorsman: Tips on getting started on rowing

Q: How do I get started rowing? A: If you have an issue with getting wet, try the rowing machine in the gym. It’s the same timing and sequence as you need rowing a shell (that’s what they call the boats) on the water. But then you’re missing out on a great experience with nature. […]
Published
March 28, 2010

Fleming: Fly-fishing industry has a filmmaker in Bethel native

They call it fishing porn. And it’s proudly made in Maine. Moreover, some Mainers think these trendy new documentary-style films on fast fishing and happy fishermen will gain in popularity. These movies are about how to love fishing, not how to fish — and despite the nickname for these videos, they’re wholesome, educational and absolutely […]
Published
March 28, 2010

You want fun? Done.

Maine's state park system celebrates its 75th birthday with a series of parties – Family Fun Days – and you're invited.
Published
March 28, 2010

Snowmobiling: Alterations salvage premier of Pro-Am race

Less than 24 hours before the inaugural Maine 100 Pro-Am Cross Country Snowmobile Race scheduled for March 20, things were looking very grim, or more specifically, very brown. A week of temperatures in the 50s in Greenville had melted the snow off all of Bullwinkle’s raceway, leaving only dirt. “When we took the USCC (United […]
Published
March 28, 2010

Allen Afield: Sportsman’s Show has something for everyone

The 30th annual State of Maine Sportsman’s Show – the largest and most prestigious show of its kind in the state – runs April 2-4 at the Augusta Civic Center. The 2010 show ranks as the largest one in the event’s 30-year history, according to Harry Vanderweide, the organizer. This spring’s production includes 100 seminars […]

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