Outdoors

Published
September 11, 2011

Hiking: Branch out from Common Ground to explore Unity’s trails

Unity is a pretty, quiet town most of the year. Fields, farms, woodlands, Unity Pond, a nice village center, Unity College; all a little off the beaten path 13 miles east of Fairfield and the Kennebec River as the crow flies; a touch longer by Route 139. Come late September, when the Common Ground Country […]
Published
September 11, 2011

Kid Tracks: Citizen scientists add vital details to the big picture

Engaging kids in the natural world can be a great learning experience. My children have always enjoyed making observations about trees, flowers and tracks while we’re hiking on trails around Maine. They like to point out details they think are interesting, amusing or just plain “weird.” This has led me to consider ways to encourage […]
Published
September 11, 2011

Canoeing: In Pleasant’s shadow

Bridgton's Moose Pond treats paddlers to abundant bird life, big trees and fall colors.
Published
September 11, 2011

It’s Worth the Trip: Peak time for biking islands in Casco Bay

You can keep your car ferries and Segways — for my money, one of the best ways to tour the Calendar Islands is by bike. Casco Bay is dotted with hundreds of islands. So many, in fact, that an English engineer quipped in the 1700s that there were “as many islands as there are days […]
Published
September 11, 2011

Signs of more bears raise prospect of spring hunt

A state expert expects population growth will increase hunting, and guides welcome the idea.

Published
September 4, 2011

Allen Afield: Fly color plays a part in fooling the fish

In September, cool nights and line storms send water temperatures dropping into the 60-degree range, even in large rivers, ponds and lakes, influencing salmonids to put on the proverbial feedbag. The lower the thermometer drops into the 60s, the better the fishing, too. Fast angling can kick off in Aroostook County on Labor Day weekend, […]
Published
September 4, 2011

Deirdre Fleming: Anglers help project find out where the wild brook trout roam

The findings of a new survey may ratchet up what state biologists know about native wild brook trout. And the state is going to the real experts — the anglers — for help. The Brook Trout Pond Survey Project that started this summer and concludes at the end of the month will check as many […]
Published
September 4, 2011

Outdoors Calendar

Hike Orland’s Oak Hill, 10 a.m. today. Join Sarah LeVine for a moderately difficult hike of roughly three miles. Meet at the South Gate of the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands on Route 1 (just south of the Route 176 intersection) and bring water, snack and sturdy footwear. Rain or shine. For more information, call Sarah […]
Published
September 4, 2011

It’s Worth the Trip: Snow Mountain trip rewards hikers who like to fish

Not far from the Canadian border on Route 27, just below Sarampus Falls on the Dead River in Alder Stream Township, and south of the beautiful Chain of Ponds, there’s a road to the west leading into a part of the Penobscot Indian Territory. The road, identified by a sign explaining the rules that apply […]
Published
September 4, 2011

Birding: Southern hemisphere sea birds visit Maine during their winter

Did you know that possibly the most abundant bird in the world is in Maine now? And that the vast majority of Mainers have never seen one? The bird is Wilson’s storm-petrel, a small seabird that is regularly seen from whale watches and fishing expeditions. Occasionally these birds may be seen from shore when onshore […]

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Outdoors