Monthly Archives: October 2013

Maine biologist: State’s moose herd is thriving, national population concerns complex

The opening paragraph of a Washington Post story that appeared on the BDN website on Tuesday was quite dramatic, especially here in Maine, a state where moose are an iconic critter that help fuel the tourism and hunting industries alike. “Moose in the northern United States are dying in what scientists say may be the start […]

Peregrine falcon set free along Kennebec

It didn’t take long for a peregrine falcon to rediscover his wings on Monday, as a young male bird was released into the wild after a two-month rehabilitation stint. According to a Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife press release, the falcon was released at a site along the Kennebec River, where it immediately took […]

It was only a matter of time until a tick showed up

I spend a fair amount of time in the woods. It comes with the territory. Write an outdoors column, and serve as the BDN’s outdoors editor, and “spending time playing outside” is kinda in the job description. And for the last decade or so, I’ve heard (and written) plenty of stories about ticks. “Watch out […]

Fournier’s ‘Birds of a Feather’ a true Maine classic

Two years ago, I had the pleasure of reading and recommending Paul Fournier’s first book, “Tales from Misery Ridge.” The tales that the book contained were compelling, well-written, and I was confident that BDN readers would enjoy it. Since then, I’ve heard from several who agreed with my assessment, and loved the stories shared by […]

Biologist expects banner Maine deer season

Maine’s deer herd was reeling after brutal back-to-back winters between December of 2007 and March of 2009. Biologists said that during the first severe winter, as much as 30 percent of the state’s deer may have died. Recovery, many cautioned, would take a long time. At least years. Decades? That wasn’t out of the question. […]

Kennebec fisheries meetings set

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has announced that it will stage three informational meetings that may be of interest to anglers who fish the Kennebec River. According to a DIF&W press release, the meetings will focus on the current status, ongoing research and future of the Kennebec’s freshwater fisheries. The meetings will […]

Share your snowmobile ethanol sob story … and the solution

On Saturday I headed to Augusta to check out the Maine Snowmobile Association’s annual Maine Snowmobile Show, and got the chance to talk with several vendors and avid sledders. Plenty of vendors were on hand to show off the latest and greatest sleds and accessories, and local chambers of commerce showed up to share maps […]

Junior deer hunters don’t get automatic any-deer permit

From the “let’s get this straight, once and for all” file, here’s another clarification of the state’s any-deer rules. And let’s start with this: Junior hunters DO NOT automatically have the right to shoot a doe this year. and they won’t receive that right next year, either. Sorry if you’ve heard this explanation before, but […]

Mussel men (and women) wanted for Penobscot relocation effort

The Penobscot River Restoration Trust marked another milestone last week when an earthen cofferdam at the Veazie Dam site was breached, allowing water to flow naturally. The expected result: The water level above the dam has dropped significantly. And that means that there’s plenty more work to be done … and the PRRT is looking […]

BDN wants your sledding photos

Send in your sledding photos It’s that time again. We’re asking readers to submit their photos for possible inclusion in the winter edition of BDN Maine Outdoors, our quarterly publication. The theme this time around: Sledding. Not sledding as in “snowmobiling.” Sledding as in, “Hey, let’s go sledding down this hill.” If you’ve got a […]