Monthly Archives: June 2017

Get the boys back together! We’re going moose hunting!

My group of hunting buddies has been fortunate over the years. Though all of us haven’t been drawn during the annual moose permit lottery, a couple of us have (twice each), and after the first hunt 11 years ago, we made a solemn pact. If one of us is drawn, all of us are drawn. […]

Despite major life changes, anglers renew friendships at a familiar river

A year ago, the group of us met on the Penobscot River, eager to celebrate a rejuvenated fishery, and to spend time among like-minded fly fishers. Some of us had met each other before; others hadn’t. But on that glorious June day in Old Town, that didn’t matter: We all exchanged greetings and introductions, then waded […]

Monumental thoughts from the deep Maine woods

On Wednesday, as many of my journalistic brethren were packing themselves into the designated press vans for U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke’s visit, I took a different approach. Not because I wanted to, though, but because the vans were full and the BDN already had two seats filled with a reporter and photographer. […]

Five more crazy animal tales: Remember the beaver that stole the hunting rifle?

On Wednesday, our Alex Aquisto broke the internet with her story about the woman who was attacked by a rabid raccoon, then won the ensuing fight by drowning the critter — in a puddle — with her bare hands. Around the office, we started talking about other odd animal stories we’ve written over the years. […]

Pretty as a picture: Zinke gets a monumental view

High atop the bluff that offers visitors the Oh My Gosh view that’s one trademark of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, artist Marsha Donahue worked at her easel, creating a painting of Maine’s tallest mountain. This view, she said, has become among her favorites, and she has spent plenty of time painting here, at […]

Looking for fun? Enter the Hancock County Open Water Derby this weekend

Warm weather has finally arrived, and the water in our lakes and ponds is also rising. In many places, fishing is nearing its peak, and it’s the perfect time to plan a day on the water. The folks at G&M Family Market in Holden are giving anglers the perfect excuse to get out the fishing […]

Some things you ought to know about Maine’s new national monument

On Wednesday evening, Lucas St. Clair — president of Elliotsville Plantation Inc. and the man who led the effort to establish a national monument in northern Maine — sat down to chat with me in front of a packed house at the Bangor Public Library. The event was the BDN’s latest Dirigo Speaks event, in […]

A simple, healing trip through the Maine woods

Last Friday, with another hectic week behind me and a holiday weekend looming, I sent out texts to a few friends, looking for help. Not that I actually told those pals exactly that. In fact, I never used the word “help” once. Instead, I explained that my wife had been away all week on business, […]