Monthly Archives: March 2017

Relishing the final days afield with a trusted dog

During one of several quiet moments late last week, Jim Fahey trampled down the crusty, noisy snow, trying to establish a patch of fluffy white upon which to stand and wait for elusive snowshoe hares. An early spring snow fell, dampening coats and chilling fingers, and Fahey, a part-time guide and off-duty game warden, glanced […]

Photo from the past: Salmon sunrise

Earlier today, sleet was falling sideways in downtown Bangor. Right now, it’s snowing like crazy. And despite what Mother Nature says, it’s officially springtime. Not only that, on Saturday — April 1 — we’ll mark the traditional opening day of open water fishing season here in Maine. To mark the impending occasion (in spite of the […]

From alligators to hares, it’s been an eventful week in the outdoors

Spend enough time writing about the Maine outdoors and you’ll find any number of tales that seem too far-fetched to be true. Just last year, a massive snake (Maine doesn’t have native large snakes, of course) was spotted in Wesbrook, and the townsfolk began keeping their kids indoors. We get photos of bright, white deer […]

It’s not too early to start planning for the Penobscot River Whitewater Nationals Regatta

For the past two years, top-notch paddlers have flocked to Old Town during the heat of summer to participate in the American Canoe Association’s national championship event. Scott Phillips, the race chairman, says it’s not too early to begin planning for this year’s Penobscot River Whitewater Nationals Regatta. This year’s event will be staged from […]

Eager readers sign up for annual drift boat trip contest|

Over the course of three days last weekend, my colleague Aislinn Sarnacki and I greeted hundreds of BDN readers at our booth at the Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show. One observation: When your booth is directly across from the most popular smoked meat vendor at the show, you quickly learn how to chat with folks with […]

Thousands expected to turn out for 79th annual sportsmen show in Orono

Come mid-March every year, some of us start watching the weather reports a bit more carefully, Are we planning a great adventure? Not really. Are we afraid shoveling snow? Hardly. Instead, we’re dreading the kind of weather that might make folks hunker down and stay home during the annual Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show, which is […]

Author of book about North Pond Hermit to speak in Bangor

Over the past several months, the BDN has proudly presented some thought-provoking and entertaining events in its Dirigo Speaks series. We hope you’ll make a plan to join us on Friday as we host the latest installment: Michael Finkel, author of “The Stranger in the Woods, The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit” will […]

Outdoor community reaches out, shows it cares

For the past 14 years — since I landed the job many have described as the best newspaper gig in the state — I’ve looked forward to late winter for a number of reasons. Among those: When the snow starts to melt, it also signals the arrival of annual outdoor expos like the Eastern Maine […]