With all the April showers hitting Maine this week, the state’s remaining snow cover doesn’t stand a chance. Right? That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. I’ve already packed away my snowshoes, and dug out the bug spray. The BDN Outdoors team is planning some pretty epic adventures for this summer, and there’s no time to lose. This weekend, we plan to be at the Kenduskeag Stream race, cheering on the paddlers and gathering stories. See you at Six Mile Falls!
— Aislinn Sarnacki
Bobcat enters home through pet door, sticks around for snacks
“I stopped in at B N’w Store in Passadumkeag [in late February or early March] and there was a fella there who met me, and he had said he had a bobcat in a live trap,” Maine game warden Joe Bailey said earlier this week.
But this bobcat wasn’t captured near a chicken coop, or in the backyard. Nope, the man he met had a much closer encounter than that.
11 things you might not know about Acadia National Park, but should
The most popular park in Maine, Acadia attracts an average of 2.4 million visitors to Mount Desert Island every year. People from all over the world wander the park’s historic footpaths, paddle its waters and climb its sea cliffs. Some visit only once, while others return year after year, exploring the park’s trails, uncovering its secrets.
At the cusp of the park’s busy season, here are a few things you might not know about Acadia, but should, if planning to visit this summer …
Gear bag: Picking the right canoe and kayak paddles
Each week the BDN Maine Outdoors team takes a look at different gear you might need for your next outdoor adventure. For this week’s Gear Bag, we looked at the paddles from Old Town Canoe Co. Check out the video and write-up.
East Millinocket national park informational session sparks ‘friendly’ debate
Tom St. John, a Katahdin region businessman who favors a proposed north woods national park, had several minutes of convivial talk Thursday with former Millinocket Town Councilor John Raymond, a park opponent.
Unremarkable by itself, the low-key conversation underlined a goal of the informational session hosted at Schenck High School: To get people engaged in considering the park idea, said David Farmer, a spokesman for leading park proponent Lucas St. Clair.
Blog log
Act Out with Aislinn: 1-minute hike: Bar Island, Acadia National Park
Aislinn and her dog Oreo check out a short trail near Bar Harbor that is only accessible for three hours out of each day. Watch the video to see if she gets stranded on Bar Island when the sandbar disappears at high tide.
George’s Outdoor News: Can Maine reverse the decline in its hunting and fishing economy?
“Eleven years ago, Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife received a series of marketing recommendations from national experts. None of the recommendations were ever implemented …” — George Smith
On the horizon
Early spring isn’t the prettiest time of year, with its bare trees, dead grass and mud — lots of mud. But it’s a great time to plan ahead, and the BDN Outdoors team would like to help. In the next few weeks, we’ll be writing about outdoor summer adventures that require a little planning.
Also on the horizon, BDN Outdoor Editor John Holyoke will return from his weeklong vacation. Knowing John, he’ll likely have some stories to share, and (based on certain text messages) they may include sharks.
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